I Voted for McCain Twice

No, this isn’t a confession of voter fraud, but an eye catching title that leads to a confession of voter clumsiness.

Today, I went ahead and did early voting. Yes, I know you can vote by mail, but thanks to our friends at No Vote by Mail, I refuse to use mail-in voting. Don’t trust it. I vote early and I’ve actually voted early ever election since the 2004 Presidential campaign.

Anyway, after Andrea’s doctor’s appointment, I drove down towards Driver’s Services on Barrister and ironically enough while listening to the radio, heard a commercial from Secretary of State Ben Ysura letting people know about early voting and mail-in voting. I already got the memo, thanks Ben.

Unlike in 2006, when I waited until 4 pm the Friday before the election, to vote early, I got to stand in line for half an hour before I even got in the door. This time, while there was a fair amount of activity, I got right in to the voting room.

I was off with my ballot. Those who’ve read the blog, know I’ve had my issues with Senator McCain, but I’ve taken comfort on his stance on some issues as well as the presence of Sarah Palin on the ticket. A vote for McCain is actually a vote for General Ben Doty, one of McCain’s Idaho electors, which is a plus. I got all the way down through State House District 18A, and then on 18B, I spoiled my ballot. I accidentally voted for Phyllis King. I stared at the oval and said to myself, “What the heck?”

There’s no way on this earth, I’d vote for Phyllis King. I’m supporting Becky Young. I’ve even kicked some campaign dollars. For the first time ever, I spoiled a ballot. This time, I voted it right.  I definitely, didn’t want to have to vote for McCain a third time.

It’s a secret ballot, but how I voted isn’t much a secret. I’m a Republican, and I think Republicans have got a solid slate for the most part. I think it’s important we elect candidates like Julie Ellsworth, Rick Yzaguirre, Sharon Ullman, and Dean Sorenson.

Of course, there were some non-partisan races.

I wish I lived in Rod Beck’s district as I would have supported him for Highway Commission. Unfortunately, I didn’t. The incumbent in my district, Carol McKee seemed the best of the choices presented in the Statesman’s voter guide.

For the College of Western Idaho Board of Trustes, there are three contested seats.

I liked Daniel Dunham for Seat 1, and his understanding that whoever is chosen as the next College President by the board of Trustees needs to be a servant.

I think Gordon Browning would bring a very interesting skillset with his experience as a former Community College Student who used that education ahead, plus from answers to the Statesman voter guide he seems to have a solid grasp of what’s going to be need. He got my vote for Seat #2.

On Seat #3, I really appreciated that Chuck Story is very cost conscious in how he’ll approach being on the board, so he got my vote.

On all the judges who were unopposed, I cast a slate of votes against retaining them, as I have no clue who they are and where they stand, and I wouldn’t hire someone for any other job with as little information as we have no the judges.

The one observation I’ll have is that it’s important for everyone to go out and vote. There were quite a few folks down at the polls registering to vote. Get out the Vote is critical. Every vote matters.