First Presidential Election in Oregon

It's 2012 and it's my first Presidential election in Oregon.

BORING!

Before I had always thought that Election season was so much fun.  There were commercials, phone calls, mailers and people canvassing the neighborhoods.  Not so much in Oregon.  At least not to the degree I was used to in Ohio. I never thought I'd miss living in a swing state.

When I lived in Ohio, the right and the left were kissing up to me to try and get my vote.  No one bothered this year.  I used to be special gosh darn it. Now I just live in a state with only seven electoral votes opposed to 18 and it doesn't have the history of my home state.

Sure Obama has made a visit to Oregon, but that was probably only because his brother-in-law is the basketball coach at Oregon State.  I wonder if he would have even bothered before. Both candidates have swung by the Buckeye State on several occasions. 

It's not just about the presidential election.  It's about city, county and state issues and legislators too.  The state measures on the ballot were different, but some were oddly familiar. I never once voted for or against the legalization of marijuana while an Ohio resident.  I have, however, had the chance to vote for or against a casino.Could you imagine if people in Ohio were able to smoke weed while playing black jack?  I'm sure they do, just not legally...

What makes me the saddest about voting in Oregon?  I miss voting on election day at a physical location.  I don't like this mail in voting where I can select my next president while I'm having "me time" on the toilet. Then I just drop it off at my leisure at either a designated voting box or just my mailbox. There is even a drop box near Pizza Hut here in Corvallis, OR. I thought Ohio was supposed to be a fat and lazy state, not Oregon. Hey Oregonians! When you're done with the Pizza Buffet, just drop your ballet in the box.  See?  Totally sounds like something I'd say to an Ohioan.

Since the Valley Library is across the quad from my building, I decided to drop my ballot in the ballot box there.  I was hoping for a sense of accomplishment and patriotism after I slipped my ballot masked by the secrecy ballot into the box...but I just felt ...meh.

1) Sorry it's blurry 2) sorry it won't turn the right way...but you get the point.

I suppose going to a ballot box area has its perks like checking out a book or some sub-par breadsticks before I exercise my American right to vote, but I don't get a sticker that says I voted.  How will anyone know that I am a great American? Ohioans even have cute little sticker that says "I love voting," but instead of a heart, it's the shape of Ohio.  That's the dedication of a swing state!

Did I get a sticker in the mail with my ballot?  No.  Did I get one at the ballot box? No.  Are they afraid that with this system that they will have no way of policing whether or not someone actually voted and would falsely wear a sticker? Probably.  I could see someone being lame enough to do that.

Since no one provided me with a sticker stating that I am awesome and I vote..I made my own!