I just joined the 22+ million Americans who have already cast their ballots in this presidential election, and it feels damn good.
Turnout was intense at my early voting location in southwest Las Vegas. When I arrived, there were two lines of seventy-five to one hundred people each, and when I left, the lines were at least as long. It was the last day of early voting here, but on the other hand it was also Friday night and it was Halloween.
As for demographics, it was a racially and ethnically diverse crowd, and I'd estimate that most people were under the age of sixty.
One interesting thing to note: I overheard the phone conversation of the woman on line ahead of me. I couldn't tell who she was voting for, but she was telling the story of a guy who had just been laid off his job after 31 years. I didn't catch many details other than that, but it was a reminder of what this election is really about, at least for me: making our economy work for all Americans, not just a select few.
© Jed Lewison