It inspired me to see several hundred of my neighbors up early to share in this precious rite of freedom.The line stretched outside the building but moved quickly. Once inside, we moved to our precinct's table at the far end of the hall, where we showed identification, signed the roll, and walked over to another short line. After being handed a key card, we took our places at the next available voting machines (touch-screen with integrated printers) and made our choices.
Notably, I voted for personal responsibility (and 6,000 Ohio jobs) by voting against statewide Issue 5, preserving the right of my fellow citizens to secure so-called "payday loans." I also marked my ballot in favor of Ohio Issue 6, which would clear the way for my state's first casino. The community in which the casino would be built is about to lose thousands of jobs when its biggest employer leaves town, and those jobs could be replaced by an estimated 5,000 short-term construction opportunities and an equal number of long-term service positions.
When Mrs. KintlaLake and I strolled back out into the cool morning air, I checked my watch -- we'd spent all of 45 minutes inside the polling place. All went smoothly.
We've raised our voices. Now we wait.
