What Happens November 9th

The school where I teach has been an Election Day polling place for as long as I've been there. I even voted there one year. It always makes for an unusual day, filling the building with a different kind of energy that the students absolutely notice. Since the security measures of the last few years have changed the climate of our school, voters only had the front entrance to use. They were directed through the cafeteria and into the gym, sometimes having to queue up in the hallway before they're allowed to go forward. I never saw a huge line waiting, but I did have other things occupying my time during the hours of the school day. My guess is it's probably busy over there right now.

We have a lot of voters who wouldn't have any other reason to enter an elementary school coming through on Election Day, but we also see a lot of familiar faces. Some parents will come in during the day, and even some older parents from the past who occasionally greet the teachers like old friends if they have a chance to talk. Some former students still living in the area will as well, which is always interesting: I can see these almost-familiar millennials recognizing me when they walk by, even if I don't always know who they are right away.

The thing that strikes me each year is that no matter how contentious the election had been in the rallies, or on the news, or in the debates, or even on social media, everyone behaves when they show up to vote. I suspect that might have something to do with being back in an elementary school as a lot of people reflexively remember there are rules to follow, but it goes beyond that. I've always seen the same thing at any polling place I've been to, and I've gotten bounced around to several of them over the past two decades. I know that isn't the case everywhere, but it generally seems to be the rule that people show up to vote and are able to set aside or restrain their differences long enough to participate. 

My great hope is that at the end of this election, which has been the most openly combative in recent memory, everyone will be able to keep that sense of polite community.