I've been poring over the California primary returns for the last week looking for my vote. It's not there. And I'm waiting for a promised call from controversial and very nice Assistant Registrar of Voters for San Diego County Michael Vu.
Confusion loves momentum. Seemingly casual blunders are really just foot soldiers looking to bring on the madness. And so it was that events conspired against my polling station, leading me to cast an illegitimate write-in vote for Barack Obama on the Green Party ballot. I wasn't pranking around in the polling booth looking for a good story to tell when this happened – I intended to cast my primary vote for Obama as a registered member of the Democratic Party. Little things went wrong until poll workers and I were officially irregular.
I have written a one act play about this experience and am now casting performers. A word of special thanks to Michael Vu whose surprise guest appearance transformed this from boring voting story to personal political drama.
Angela from San Diego
February 18, 2008 at 07:55 PM
Hilarious! Not what happened to your vote - but the script. If you could cast a big name for Bright Young Woman and spin out a romantic comedy, you might just have a hit on your hands. However, I'd prefer you go all Brazil with it .
aaryn b.
from san diego
February 18, 2008 at 09:17 PM
I see Natalie Portman as Cheery Young Woman? She could do big studio production or independent Brazil-esque stuff with equal élan.
Alma from San Diego
February 18, 2008 at 11:17 PM
I didn't know you were a plumber Chris. I'm hoping what I assume is a strong stomach will steel your will in getting to the bottom of this mystery (or misery, maybe I should say.) Your determination to vote Barack Obama no matter what may have worked against you this time, but maybe there will be another chance on Nov. 4th. It's beginning to look that way right now....
Chuck
from Escondido, CA
February 19, 2008 at 12:35 AM
I'll gladly take the technical advisor slot.
Steven
February 19, 2008 at 03:11 AM
Okay, that amused me greatly!
Dave
from Oceanside
February 19, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Hmm.. I did have that moment and registered Green.. was given the first Green ballot at 5pm ... thought.. oh.. really?? I'm the only one?.. then I look at the stack.. there are 3 more available.. I sigh.. the earth is doomed..
But.. I thought I could still vote in the Democratic Primary.. hmm.. ta heck with it.. I'll write in Obama and maybe Green will get a clue and endorse somebody so the loyalist Greens don't throw away their votes..
I guess I'm glad that I decided against the pain and suffering of going back to the people at the table.. mine didn't seem nearly as competent as those near Bird Rock.. .. I did hold on to my covered up ballot asking who wanted it and where to put it.. I'd have thought at 5pm they'd have figured that part out well enough.
Look... I appreciate those doin' the time down at the polls.. but they are human.. humans have a hard time caring about anything for very long.. caring about your vote was certainly on their minds.. but actually paying attention to all the details.. really??
The idea of my Mom working at a polling place comes to mind.. someone could walk in and say they changed their minds.. surely she'd say, "OK.. here's another.. " ... or John Doe comes in.. gets his ballot.. comes back two hours later.. checks in again as John Smith.. .. my mom says, "Wow.. you look just like someone else .. same first name too!!.. what? forgot your id.. that's Ok.. you look like a nice person!"
Let us know what happens to your vote.. Maybe with you and me voting for Obama in Green.. well.. maybe he'll run for the Green party!
Chris
February 19, 2008 at 09:27 AM
I'll go arthouse or Gigli on this thing as long as Michael Vu calls me - he was so convincing on the phone - every vote matters and all that ...and I would like somebody to mention the latest on those lost microchips over at the Registrars office.
Alma - Im not a plumber, but a sometime plumber's assistant - and the plumber I work with would probably disagree with that.
...and Im in favor of Natalie P. anywherez.
Dave - thanks for doing your thing for Trestles
Trina
from Carlsbad
February 20, 2008 at 04:40 PM
OOOH! Pick me! Pick me! I want to audition for the Cheery Young Pollworker! You'd have to pay for liposuction and botox to make me look like I'm in my 20's or 30's, but I'm cheery and really good at nauseating everyone with my patriotic drivel!
Dave
from Oceanside
February 21, 2008 at 02:46 AM
Chirs.. no worries.. ..and sorry for linking to it in your blog.. I didn't have any desire to take away from your words... Anyway, Nathan has removed the link for me... It was just meant as part of my signature.. sorry for any confusion.. ...
Again, great play!! It's amazing how complicated we humans can make something as simple as voting... especially when we try to simplify it!!
Dave
(signature goes here)
