25 Comments
Oct 23Liked by Liz Gumbinner

Stood with my first time voter at our town hall waiting for a table. As we reviewed the three paper ballots together, I noticed a gentleman who was looking at us and smiling endearingly. Civic duty, man. It’s surprisingly emotional.

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author

Isn’t it though? ❤️

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Aww this made me tear up- my almost 8 yo was asked to step out of the voting room because he was a telling everyone in line to vote blue like his mom— but it truly warmed my heart when he said- we just voted for the first woman president! He was also singing Hamilton songs in line and talking about the founding of our country—it took 45 minutes in NC, at old courthouse in Guilford County. I told him he will get to vote in 2036, so it’s going to be a while! My 5 yo was not nearly as excited but I’m glad they both came with me.

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Write down every detail because you will want to have that memory forever 🥹

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Oct 23Liked by Liz Gumbinner

I work in Elections and my eldest voted for the first time this week and this post made me sob. My life’s work and my LIFE’S work. I’m not sure I have ever been more proud honestly.

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That must feel incredible! Go you!

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Oct 22Liked by Liz Gumbinner

Literally welled up reading that. <3

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Oct 22Liked by Liz Gumbinner

My 19-yr-old has her absentee ballot ready to go, it'll be her 2nd election, but first presidential one! Like you, I took my girls with me to vote, in particular when I voted for Hilary. That one was really important to me for them to be there with me. It's so exciting that she'll get to vote for Kamala herself. We vote by mail here in CA, so we get our stickers in our packet.

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Last year was my first election voting without my oldest in tow. It was so strange. This year we will just have a different combination of kids with us!

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So wonderful!

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Oct 22Liked by Liz Gumbinner

I have a first time voter, too! I remember taking him into the voting booth for Obama when he was a wee lad! 😭

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One of my favorite photos is my toddler, wearing her Obama shirt, cheering in front of the TV as they announced his victory. Now she’s voting! We are in the same place 💙

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Oct 22Liked by Liz Gumbinner

That's a great memory. I have a similar one. A photo of the three of us door knocking for Obama. My youngest was six.

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Love that! My other great memory: Door-knocking for Kerry and realizing I was pregnant because I was so nauseated in the van 😂

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Why didn’t someone tell us how come being a parent hurts so much. In a joyful way, but still…

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author

I understand

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Oct 22Liked by Liz Gumbinner

Tears here. I’ve held those little hands as we entered the booth; I’ve seen an aerial view on TV of the line my son is waiting in at his polling place in 2020, when the line snaked on for hours; I’ve accompanied my dad into the booth to help him cast his last ballot (for VP Al Gore); and I’ve beamed with joy to know my oldest grandchild joined the Penn State College Dems. 💙💙💙

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author

LET'S GO PA!

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Wonderful milestone!

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Oct 22Liked by Liz Gumbinner

damn you! you did it again. my eyes are full of tears and my throat's choked up.

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Oct 22Liked by Liz Gumbinner

My son is voting for the first time this year as well :-) We just got our ballots in the mail yesterday so we'll vote sometime this week (in Oregon we all vote by mail or drop box). Sadly there are no stickers at the drop boxes.

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Oct 22Liked by Liz Gumbinner

We vote by mail/ballot box drop off in Colorado and this year, the were rolls of I VOTED stickers at the ballot boxes! And the ballot we received in the mail had a peel-off I VOTED stickers too!

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Love that! Someone told me they send "I voted absentee" stickers in with your ballot. Awesome if true!

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Exactly! Though hopefully we'll all get a far more valuable reward in exchange for our votes.

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deletedOct 22
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Right back at you!

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