I visited the polls today in several locations, including Lowell School in Missoula. Many voters of all ages came here to cast their ballots.
Outside the school, there was also quite a lot of activity with the signature gatherers collecting support for their initiatives. I met Chet outside the polling place as he was collecting signatures to put CI-159 on the ballot in the fall. CI-159 would help low income disabled and elderly persons get home health care services by individual home care providers of their choosing.
He was drafted by one of his buddies to help out today, and he found volunteering to be incredibly fulfilling. “It’s made me feel very empowered to exercise my rights, and just to be able to do what Americans can and should be doing.”
He says he would absolutely do it again. “I think it’s been a great experience, I’ve gotten to know my community a little bit better, I’ve got to hear people’s opinions, and it’s just been really cool, even when people disagree. Like I’ve only seen a few people get heated about it, but most people just agree to disagree, and it’s progress.”
This was also the first primary election Chet voted in “I felt like I got to use my right and power as a citizen to express my feelings towards my government.”
“Wow, it’s been exciting, little old Montana. It’s the 4thlargest state in the country with the 4thleast population. It’s pretty exciting to be in the news, be like, hey look..there’s Montana!” This excitement will probably bring many other voters out that wouldn’t usually vote in the primary. The Secretary of State’s office hopes for 47% voter turnout, but early estimates indicate turnout could be even higher.
Chet likes the fact that Montana doesn’t make you register under one party or another, but you can vote either the Republican ticket or the Democratic ticket. But parties are one part of democracy that doesn’t Chet doesn’t like. “I can go to Baskin Robbins and get 32 flavors of ice cream, but I can go to the polls and get 1 of 2 (choices.)”
Chet was surprised to see so many young people out to vote. “When I turned18, voting was not my prerogative, but I’ve realized things, and that’s how you make a difference. If you think your vote doesn’t count, then you shouldn’t complain about things if you don’t vote.”
He also feels like he’s making a difference in the long run, both by voting today, and by collecting signatures. “I still feel like we (Montana) have a small part in the whole role of things in the national government but everything starts at the base, and I just realize if I vote for my local people, my senators and my governor, that could make a difference in Montana which could outwardly make a difference worldwide, and you gotta be the change you want to see in the world.”
Sounds like Chet could be making a lot of changes in the world.