Massive turnout in Wisconsin recall race

Came home from my dinner date to find reports of an overwhelming turnout in Wisconsin today. Several precincts reporting over 100% because of so many same day registrations. Widespread reports of ballots running out at polling places but people who arrived before closing time are staying put, waiting for more ballots to arrive. I’m nearly weepy with gratitude and pride in my fellow Americans. The good people of Wisconsin should be an example to us all in November.

The only demographic that showed low turnout was the so-called youth vote but I wouldn’t blame the kids for being lazy. It’s more likely, they tried to vote but were prevented from doing so because of legislation enacted by Republicans that was designed to disenfranchise thousands of students who would be shut out by the convoluted residency requirement. Indeed I saw early reports of students who were denied ballots because of this new law.

Meanwhile, exit polling is showing an absolute dead heat. The news stations have already declared it too close to call. Also, about 12% of the vote is in absentee ballots and the exit polls won’t include them so we’re unlikely to know the winners tonight.

I almost don’t even care who wins. What really matters is that so many people took their civic responsibility seriously and cast a ballot. Participation is everything in our form of government. This, dear readers, is what democracy is supposed to look like. It’s a beautiful sight.