Kyrie

At 6:00 a.m. there were about thirty people in line ahead of me, but things seemed to be proceeding evenly. I was in and out by 6:30. Like just about everyone else there, I had my own little election guide so I could move quickly through the myriad ballot propositions that face Arizona voters today.

People chatted respectably with those near them in line. Most of the chatter I overheard concerned Proposition 200, the "lottery" proposition. The general concensus seemed to be that anything that would get out the vote is good, even if it draws "uninformed voters."

"Like people who watch TV?" I sarcastically asked the couple just behind me in line. Safe Democratic votes there, I thought, but while I wasn't engaged in conversation with them they discussed a person named "Terry" (Goddard?! the state Attourney General?) who they felt had basically purged his downtown realm of openly gay lawyers. Disturbing, that.

"Cleaning house" is what they called it, but despite that the one person, a lawyer I think, said they'd still work for him.

Slow going is expected due to those numerous propositions. The polling place had many open tables set up, like a banquet hall, so they could process many more voters than if they had only been able to go through the private booths.

I was voter number 14. That's one of my lucky numbers. It's twice as lucky as 7.

The lady in front of me supplied her driver's license, her voter registration card, and also a utility bill. "You really came prepared!" thanked the poll volunteer. Then the woman turned to me and mumbled something about being hassled last time... she was African American.

Most people produced their voter registration card along with their photo ID. Like they were proud.

A woman a few steps ahead had a driver's license with an old address because the motor vehicle department hadn't sent her an updated license yet. She had a utility bill with an in-precinct address, and she was given a provisional ballot.

When I left the polling place parking lot was getting full but the line to enter the room had only a handful of people in it.

Now we wait. Kyrie eleison.