My Caucus Experience!

If you know me, you know that I am a little bit of a political junkie! This presidential election year is just making me giddy! There was no way I was going to miss my DFL caucus.

I got to the middle school near my house at 6:30 pm. There was a line of cars all the way down the street waiting to get in the parking lot. There were no spots available in the lot! It was packed full already. I knew this was going to be something else. I finally got a spot and headed inside.

It was amazing. There were more people there than I could even imagine. I have caucused before and have seen nothing like this. I waited in line for 1.5 hours to get in to register and cast my vote for who I back for president. I waited in line, talked to some very interesting people, and saw some of my neighbors. I marveled at the number of people and the diversity of the crowd. I got chills (I know call me a geek!) thinking about the democratic process at work.

While I was in the school cafeteria casting my vote they announced that they wouldn't be starting the caucusing until everyone is through the line and has a chance to vote. As I walked to my precinct room I realized that the line was just about as long as when I got into it. This was going to be a long night.

It was about an hour later before our precinct captain came in and started our caucus. Not everyone that voted stayed for the caucus but there was a good turn out. It was fun to be sitting in a room with my neighbors and talking politics. In the end it was 10:00 pm when I left - 3.5 hours after I entered the building. I didn't expect it take up my whole night but it was fun and so worth it to be part of the process.

Some may think this is going to be a long 9 months but I say bring it on! This is what our country is all about. Again, if you know me, you know that I am very ready for a change in the White House and that just fuels the fire. And in case you are interested - I back Barack Obama! Maybe I'll write a future blog about that!

Tina