Anything could happen

With several major news sources reporting Barak Obama's successful re-election campaign, there is a slight reminder that dates back 12 years to the Bush v Gore presidential race when news media had predicted a winner prematurely.

Much of the building has emptied as the news for president has come in and only those remain in wait to hear the results from the Riverside County measures and election hopefuls.

Proposition 30 is currently trailing 40% to 59% to those not in favor of the bill passing.

Proposition 32 is ahead 54% in favor to 46% against.

And it's official

Barak Obama has been re-elected as President of the United States, according to several major news networks. 

Obama surpassed the required 270 electoral vote count to win his second term in the white house. 

News still coming in about the state-wide and Riverside county proposition and election results. 

Swing States Decide

Well, the gathering doesn't "officially" begin until 7:30pm but there is a strong crowd already present here at the Republican Party election headquarters at the Mission Inn, Riverside.

In attendance are mostly students and a few of the city election hopefuls, some reporters (including Viewpoints) and Republican city members.

All attention is focused on the screens, with the swing states still holding the balance of who could take the white house. Ohio, Florida, Virginia all still being too close but not all the votes have been counted.

As it stands President Obama and President hopeful Romney are neck and neck.

"I Voted"

After turning in the ballot, receiving the iconic "I Voted" sticker means much more than what it says. Taking part in a phenomena that occurs only every four years is a big thing, but more importantly is taking an active part when so many others would chose to be passive and accept things as they come.

My first election means quite a bit, amid all the hype and pandemonium of people making their personal opinions heard. I too took part in sharing my thoughts on the candidates, the propositions, the measures, the consequences, ramifications, and how these would affect me personally as well as those around me.

It is unusual for some to passively vote; that is, to vote without much forethought or care of the outcomes. They still may take the sticker and place it above their hearts. Not to say this is anything particularly wrong with this, they are still serving their civic duty. But that same sticker doesn't mean much when voting this way. I can't say for sure how many do this as I did not go around looking over people's shoulders as they were making their marks (besides the fact that it is against the law).

Voting is a privilege as much as a civic duty. Voting reminds us that we are in control of our own fate, that it is up to us a community to make the decisions or elect those to make them for us. The "I Voted" sticker is a simple reminder of taking part in something bigger. Wear it with pride!

Rite of Passage

It’s ironic the first time I've ever gone to castle park family fun center was to vote, a very adult rite of passage in a place that holds the captured joy of children. I walked up to the door, where a women dressed in black asked my for my address, I gave it to her as I awaited her response, for some reason nerves were getting the best of me, and worst case scenarios echoed in my head. She smiled at me however and said “O.k. 16 at the very back.” I walked through the doorway and walked up to the counter I gave the volunteer my last name. She scrambled around trying to find my name with no luck she began to ask the other volunteers.  I went to the correct voting place so my address was the saving grace. Once she located my address she said “this is a probationary ballot”. Her explanation gave me another sense of dread. “This ballad will be counted after all the other ones” she said. After the gave me the proper paper work I walked to the very last booth in a tiny cramped room which held neighbors I have never met before, and probably will never meet again. I grabbed my pen and started casting my votes. I was well prepared compared to my first time voting years ago when I had just turned eight-teen. It took me about 5 minutes to mark the 4 sides of information. Once I turned in my ballot I clarified once more what would happen to my ballot. Apparently probationary ballots are counted after all the regular ballots for those who had no issues: such as address changes or un-mailed voter information. My ballad has a tracking number and most certainly counts. As for my vote for president I'm keeping that a secret for a long time. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing now Barak Obama, Mit Romney and Mark Takeno will not be calling me or reminding me how important my vote is.