I tested the water and waded neck-deep into party politics this year. Figuring one needs to practice what she preaches I volunteered to be a precinct chairman. This is an elected position, unless of course, you are unopposed, in which case . . . tag, you’re it! Additionally, I found myself running the polling location for (voting) Precinct 80 (P80TX). I make the distinction because there are precincts for Justice of the Peace (JP), which are different from voting precincts. How your voting precinct votes in the Texas governor’s race determines which party presides over the polling location in the subsequent election. Texas’ Precinct 80 is Republican. After assisting with the last two elections – as a clerk – I am now the Presiding Judge . . . yikes! Flying solo on Nov. 4^th.

In both capacities, I suppose, I wrote the following announcement to be read at our local football game tonight:

 ANNOUNCEMENT ON VOTING

 This Tuesday, November 4^th is the mid-term election. Registered voters in McLennan County can vote at ANY one of 40 vote centers across the county.

REPEATING, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THIS ELECTION A REGISTERED VOTER IN MCLENNAN COUNTY MAY VOTE AT ANY ONE OF 40 “VOTE CENTERS” THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., including the Precinct 80 location at Crawford High School. By law, a photo I.D. is required to vote.

For your convenience a listing of county Vote Centers and a sample ballot is located at the stadium entrances as well as the Crawford Post Office and both local convenience stores.

Please reflect on George Washington’s words in his final circular letter to the then thirteen states, upon resigning his commission of the Continental Army:  (followed by a moment of silence)

The Citizens of America, placed in the most enviable condition . . . to be possessed of absolute freedom and Independency; . . . Heaven has crowned all its other blessings, by giving a fairer opportunity for political happiness, than any other Nation has ever been favored with . . . The foundation of our Empire was not laid in the gloomy age of Ignorance and Superstition, but at an Epoch when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period; the researches of the human mind, after social happiness, have been carried to a great extend . . . and are laid open for our use, and their collected wisdom may be happily applied in the Establishment of our forms of Government; . . . At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a Nation, and if their Citizens should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

This is the unedited version. It remains to be seen if the announcement gets approved as written or pared down or omitted altogether. It’s a beautiful fall evening – perfect football weather – and I think it would be touching to have the announcement immediately precede the requisite “moment of silence” – words from George Washington serving as the next best thing to a prayer. They provide much needed national guidance.

P80TX:  #ChooseWell