I want to tell you about Columbus, OH, Precinct 12B.

[SallyMander]

I spent yesterday in 12B. For those familiar with Columbus, this is east of High Street, south of campus. For those not familiar with Columbus, this is one of the areas that makes the evening news for all the wrong reasons – drug deals, auto theft. Recently there was a mid-day shooting. The income level is low. Many of the houses look like they could blow over in the next stiff wind.

I want to tell you about the young man with the red pick-up truck. He came and voted mid-morning, so I was surprised to see him pull up again later in the day. He hopped out of the truck and I gave him a questioning look – until two other people tumbled out behind him. He saw us and shouted "I rounded up friends!" with a huge grin on his face. He ushered them to the door of the polling place, told them he'd be back, and told us "I am sure I can find a few more!"

I want to tell you about the woman with the blue bandanna on her head, who came to vote with a friend early in the morning. Because she didn't have a valid photo ID, she was told that she'd have to go home and get a utility bill with her current address. She had to go to work but promised us she'd be back. Sure enough, late in the afternoon she returned with a bank statement. Again, she was turned away, this time because the bank statement was undated and thus perhaps not "current." Again she went home, returning a third time with an electrical bill. Finally, after three trips to her polling place, she was able to cast her ballot.

I want to tell you about the father of the beautiful four-year-old who stopped at our table on the way in. He said he'd thought about getting a babysitter, but he wanted his daughter there to see her daddy vote for the first time, for the first African-American President of the United States.

I’m not sure why I felt such a strong need to write this. I guess I wanted to immortalize these people. To give them the credit they deserve for today's celebration. They are a snapshot – one precinct, one ward, one city. Three voters in a swing state that swung. First time voters who may never have voted again, if...

But "if" didn't happen.

They are why we won.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

[Kukesa]

1. You're making me cry again, Sally! Wonderful post. nt

[SallyMander]

5. I have been randomly bursting into tears all day

Be sure to drink lots of water to rehydrate. :D :hug:

[flpoljunkie]

2. Heart warming! Thanks for sharing.

[az chela]

3. Well now I am sitting here sobbing.What a beautiful story

and Altho i didnt grow up there I was BORN in COLUMBUS OHIO

[SallyMander]

16. ...

:hug:

[panader0]

4. Great story, and thanks for your work.

[SallyMander]

38. Thank you!

And a kick for 12B! :D

[mythyc]

6. This is exactly why we won --- fire, courage, care

Thanks so much for sharing these stories. I'm bookmarking this beautiful testimony!

:dem:

[SallyMander]

29. You are welcome mythyc

Thanks :hug:

[mythyc]

33. =)

as Barack says I luvs ya back :hug:

[LisaL]

7. By the way what is a valid photo ID?

Would you consider US passport a valid photo ID?

[SallyMander]

14. No, it has to be Ohio-issued

E.g., state-issued drivers license (military ID is also OK). The nice thing is that the address doesn't have to match, which was REALLY common yesterday (people who have moved and not updated their licenses).

[LisaL]

17. So they make it really difficult on people.

My relative had to go back home and come back with a utility bill.

[hedgehog]

8. "Finally, after three trips to her polling place, she was able to cast her ballot."

:mad:


We need to change the law!

[LisaL]

10. My relative was turned away in OH and told the passport

was not a valid photo ID. WTF?

[susanna]

12. WTF? is right.

A passport usually trumps all other forms of ID. It's not like you aren't scrutinized to get one. That is truly messed up!

[LisaL]

13. I know. That's what I told my relative.

That makes no sense. My relative had to come back to vote with a utility bill.

[susanna]

18. I am glad they got to vote!

If I were your relative, I would definitely follow up with the elections board in their area to find out why a passport is not considered valid ID. :eyes:

[LisaL]

22. According to Sally, it has to be OH issued ID.

Again, WTF?

[LisaL]

25. Yea, they offered my relative a provisional ballot

because the relative couldn't produce a "valid photo id (which passport apparently isn't). But the relative refused, had to go back home, get a bill and come back to vote for Obama.

[kick-ass-bob]

21. My guess is that Passports are valid for 10 years

and you don't have to renew if you change residence, so it is not 'proof of residence'.

Boy, I love NC - you just have to state your name and address - no ID required.

[LisaL]

23. If you show up with your voter registration card and your

passport, shouldn't it be proof enough you are qualified to vote?

[kick-ass-bob]

32. Hey - I'm not defending it - merely pointing out the 'beaurocratic

way of thinking.'

It doesn't always make sense, and most people merely "follow the rules" given to them rather than use common sense.

Was it a current registration card? :crazy:

[susanna]

24. I suppose that makes some sense.

I hadn't thought of it that way. Well, if I ever move to OH (I'm in MI) I will know. Thanks for the info kab!

[thereismore]

9. I went to "The" Ohio State University and I know the location. Thank you. nt

[hedgehog]

11. My favorite moment in all the election coverage - when Greta van Susteren

looked at a poll from Franklin County and asked if there were a lot of college students there.....

[SallyMander]

15. Only 50,000 or so

It's not that big of a school. ;)

[Waiting For Everyman]

19. Isn't that something! Thanks, SallyMander!

I'm grateful to them. If not for Ohio, and the other states that were so close, it could've been a very sad night. Thanks to all of them, and all the similar stories I'm sure occurred in lots of places yesterday.

[SallyMander]

28. Exactly -- that's what I kept thinking

If this little precinct is representative of the country... we've GOT this! :)

[1776Forever]

20. God bless Ohio - I just moved from FL 3 months ago because of foreclosure & came "back home".

I had no trouble registering to vote when we got our OH licenses and no problem voting either! It was great! I was so proud of Ohio when it went blue! I cried because our citizens could not be fooled! Not this time!

Go Ohio and GObama!

[SallyMander]

27. It's amazing how smoothly the election went

compared to years past. Thank you Jennifer Brunner!!! :D

[jayfish]

26. Touching. This Was The First...

time I wasn't able to take my children to the polls to vote with me as both are in school full-time now. I was sad.

Jay

[SallyMander]

30. Thanks for taking them all those times

My dad did that too -- I think that's where my engagement in politics began! :)

[jayfish]

31. My Dad Took Me To My First Election When I Was Seven.

It was Carter v. Ford and although the memory is a bit nebulous; I'll never forget it. They did wear their Obama 08' pins to school yesterday though. ...of their own volition. I'm very proud of them.

Jay

[SallyMander]

34. Aww - how old are your kids?

That is so cute! :D

[jayfish]

37. 6 & 8

We've been to Primaries, caucuses, generals, you name it. They love the "I Voted" stickers.

Jay

[madmom]

35. Believe it or not I heard someone say that's why they consider the

election "stolen" because a lot of "these people" have never voted before in their lives!

[SallyMander]

36. Oh for goodness sakes!

:crazy:

:hi: