Are you registered to vote? My answer to this question is an overwhelming “I don’t know.” I recently relocated to Georgia, and for some reason, for the first time in my life, I am nervous about my voter registration. I admit that I’ve been procrastinating on getting my Georgia driver’s license—you know, avoiding that dreaded trip to the DMV. As I was watching the news last week, I heard them say that the deadline to register is June 16th. Needless to say I was now being forced to make that awful anticipated trip to the DMV.
The next morning I got all of my paperwork together and prayed before I drove down the road of uncertainty. I got to the DMV forty-five minutes before it opened and waited outside with the rest of the early risers. When the doors opened, I was fourth in line and thought that I just might be able to get out of there in under an hour. As I was called to the counter, I began to feel more confident, but wait … just then a monotone voice (similar to the woman’s voice at the DMV in the movie License to Drive) rang out and said, “Marriage certificate.” Doh! Just when I thought I was in the clear!
I kindly took a seat, called my husband, and waited for him to bring our marriage certificate. Did I mention it was monsooning that day? I digress. As I waited for my husband, I thought about just how easy married men have it, and how they will never in their lives have a use for a marriage certificate--when we as women need it all the time. Anyway, he pulled up and I ran out to get the needed paperwork. 50 excuse me’s and 100 dirty looks later, I made it to the front of the line and took a number to get my picture taken. Once I got to the counter and paid, I was asked if I wanted to register to vote. Of course I said yes—the whole purpose of me going there in the first place. I then asked if there was something they could give me stating that I had registered to vote. Surprisingly (not!), the answer was no, and she said my registration card would come in the mail in a couple of weeks.
So why am I so nervous? Reason number one is because my cousin went through this same process last year, and when it was time to vote in the primaries, they said she wasn’t on the list. Reason number two is because I am beginning to get flashbacks of the 2000 general election in Florida.
