Caucus with the Kids
It seemed like a great idea…take the kids to be a part of the democratic process. Show them what a Caucus is all about. They would be a part of history. They could go to school and tell their teachers all about their experience.
Sure - let’s do it. Let’s take the kids to the Caucus!
In the car on the way over, I told them all about what was going to happen (based on my limited knowledge of the process). And I explained to them how good little boys should behave.
So we pull in and there’s no parking. We park about a half a block away in a dimly lit parking lot. I begged the boys to stay close and hold my hands because I could just see some random Caucuser driving too fast and hitting one of my kids.
We go to the back of what seems like a 250-300 person line. The kids get a little antzy. They are starting to wander and play in the dirt. I stop them and remind them of the behavior rules we discussed in the car.
Finally, about 7:30 the line starts to move and people are move in. I can see through the window that the room is filling up. I again find myself begging the boys to stay close (I’m holding the youngest one).
We finally make it in. The two older boys want me to pick them up so they can see what’s happening up front - which was nothing, just a dude giving us all instructions.
Then it started. “Mommy, I gotta pottie”
“Me too”
“Yea, me too!”
“Mommy I’m hungry”
“What time are we going home”
“I still gotta pottie”
After standing in line for another 10 minutes and not even moving - I decide my participation in the Caucus is over. We’re not going to make it.
So, we get in the car and start heading home when I thought, maybe we can stop and pottie (that’s use the restroom for all you single folks) grab some fast food and go back.
And that’s exactly what we did.
We got back and were able to walk right up to the table and cast our second vote of the day.
But not without incident (of course).
So, there are two precincts at this Caucus and apparently I’d gone to the wrong table. No problem right - I slide over to the left and now I’m at the right table.
And I’m happy because I’m casting my Caucus vote and I’m doing the Texas Two Step and this is so exciting and new!
Then I get to the address line and I begin to write my address when I remember that this isn’t the address that I’m registered under. Would having a different address make my Caucus vote invalid?? So I raise my head to ask the guy supervising my paper which address to use.
He (very, very old man) yells “VOTE!”
And I try to explain that I filled out a change of address form earlier in the day and I need to know which address to use.
He looks at me and yells - yes, yells “JUST VOTE”
Then Bralon says “Mommy, Bryce is on the floor crying.”
I think, when did he slip away? So I go to grab him. And the old, old man says “HEY COME ON AND JUST VOTE!!”
So, I calmly, yes calmly say, I have to get my kid.
When I come back I continue the question of which address to use.
He says “YOU DON’T NEED THE ADDRESS HERE, IT’S YOUR HOME ADDRESS - IT’S RIGHT THERE ON YOUR DRIVER’S LICENCE. WILL YOU JUST VOTE!!”
Another lady - who happens to go to my church is standing by and she finally answers my question - use your current address.
And I cast my vote. Grab my kids and go home - never to Caucus again.
Why was that old guy yelling at me??? Thank you Lord for silencing me and helping me not to yell back.
This also counts as my try something new for the month.