I (Think I) Voted. I Hope it Counted.

Several weeks ago, I completed the form to change my voter registration to my new address. I submitted it to campaign volunteers a few days before the registration deadline. Sure, I didn't have to bother, but I figured it would be best to play by the rules and vote in my actual precinct.

Today, I showed up at the polls, and sure enough, my name wasn't on the list of registered voters. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy about this. Fortunately, I was able to vote "by affidavit," meaning I filled out a paper ballot and signed a statement attesting to my residence in the precinct. As I handed it in, I asked the poll worker, "Is my vote going to count?" She enthusiastically reassured me that yes it would. That made me feel a little better, but I still walked out of the polling place feeling a little cheated.

Inexcusable.

Nevertheless, this incident, combined with my experiencing canvassing in Pennsylvania this past weekend, really showed to me the importance of grassroots voter awareness, registration, and education efforts. This election at the end of the day is only partly about the candidates on the ballots. It's about the millions of volunteers who get out the vote and the millions upon millions who actually do vote.

Or at least the ones who vote and get their votes counted.

Sheesh. At least this election will be over very soon.