gubernatorial gerrymandering
I voted in the midterms yesterday. First time I’ve voted in a non-presidential election. Diane early voted on Saturday, and I was going to go this morning but I had to take Luke to school, so I decided to go after work.
It ended up being a good decision, I think. I went for a run this morning and saw people lining up outside the Clemmons Civic Center at 6 a.m., but when I went at 7 p.m., a half-hour before the polls closed, there were only two people ahead of me in line and I didn’t even get to peek at the magazine I’d brought to read. I had printed out a “cheat sheet” for the non-partisan races, and between that and the handout from the conservative gentleman stationed near the entrance to the polling place, I was well-informed, I think. In and out in 15 minutes.
With regard to the election results, I’m pleased but cautious. I told Diane that the disappointment felt by some conservatives over certain “key” races is in large part due to overexpectation. As big as the movement was, the fact that it wasn’t a complete and utter wipeout motivates us to stay engaged and hold the newly-elected candidates feet to the fire. It keeps us from getting complacent. I think I most happy about the pickups in governorships and state legislatures, though. That’s where it all starts; that’s where up-and-coming conservative leaders learn the ropes. Change trickles up, I’m convinced.