Week three of our Corporate Service
Corps program closes today. Teams are actively working to summarize
their findings, create recommendations and next step plans for their
clients. Time has flown quickly. While the countdown to project close
looms, another countdown exists for me and my U.S. teammates. Eleven
days until the U.S Presidential election.
Being in South Africa has
provided a respite from the constant radio, television and internet
bombardment loosely called 'campaigning' in the U.S.. True, if a person
wanted to catch the latest via CNN or NPR or ABC or any other news
organization, it is doable, but for those of us who do not like to
listen to the nonstop banter, my ears welcome the rest.
The
flight home should get me there in time to vote.
However, just to be
safe, a few days before leaving I decided to request a mail-in ballot.
My county e-mailed me the required instructions and forms. I completed
them, and decided (at the suggestion of a CSC peer) to mail the ballot
from the U.S. Consulate here in Johannesburg. After a phone call to
ensure they would accept my ballot (and finding out they closed at noon)
we walked over to the Consulate. As we approached the building I
snapped a few pictures - it was exciting to see the stars and stripes
flying so gallantly in South Africa. When we arrived at the door,
however, I was immediately told by one of the two guards standing there
to erase my pictures. Seriously? Ever check out Google Maps?
Following rules, however, I showed the guard my phone as I deleted my
pictures. The guard then went inside for a moment to verify I could
enter the building and mail my ballot; she motioned me in; I took two
steps inside and the (different) guard in the building told me to leave
the building. Out I went, again in front of the entrance with the
original 2 guards. They asked me to remove the envelope (with my vote
inside) from my backpack and place it on the counter. The guard then
swabbed it to ensure it didn't contain any explosives. Just like TSA.
Fair enough. Envelope swabbed, all clean, now me and my envelope are
allowed to enter the building.
More guards inside. This is a screening room (a separate stand alone building from the Consulate). My envelope went through the x-ray machine and I through the screening machine - we both passed. They pointed me to a walkway (complete with yellow footprints) and said I should look for window 14 where I could mail my ballot. I leave the little building, follow the yellow (non-brick) road and pass another guard. He's pleasant and happy to have a customer.
The footsteps bend around to the main building. More guards inside. They smile and point at the sign that points me to window 14. I follow the arrow to window 14. There's a bell in front of the plexiglass but I don't ring it. I can see people behind the window and they see me. One motions to someone out of view who seconds later appears in the window. She assures me she will mail my ballot, takes it through window 14 and ta-dah, I have voted! (Well, not actually. I have submitted by ballot to be mailed to the United States to my county of residence to be officially opened by the local Election Administrator who when then count my ballot. So, I voted! (I am intentionally avoiding a discussion here about the U.S. electoral college).
More guards inside. This is a screening room (a separate stand alone building from the Consulate). My envelope went through the x-ray machine and I through the screening machine - we both passed. They pointed me to a walkway (complete with yellow footprints) and said I should look for window 14 where I could mail my ballot. I leave the little building, follow the yellow (non-brick) road and pass another guard. He's pleasant and happy to have a customer.
The footsteps bend around to the main building. More guards inside. They smile and point at the sign that points me to window 14. I follow the arrow to window 14. There's a bell in front of the plexiglass but I don't ring it. I can see people behind the window and they see me. One motions to someone out of view who seconds later appears in the window. She assures me she will mail my ballot, takes it through window 14 and ta-dah, I have voted! (Well, not actually. I have submitted by ballot to be mailed to the United States to my county of residence to be officially opened by the local Election Administrator who when then count my ballot. So, I voted! (I am intentionally avoiding a discussion here about the U.S. electoral college).
I'm proud to be an American and am humbled by the freedoms provided by our Constitution. If you watch any news program you know this year's U.S. election has been heated with strong sentiment on both sides. Regardless of who receives the most votes, I am confident the transition of government from current leader to new leader will be a peaceful one.
I encourage all of you who have the right to vote to use your right to vote. As a citizen of your country and as a human being of the planet we all share, our voices do matter.
(Footnote - I went to the mall the next day, which is across the street from the Consulate. I couldn't help myself and snapped a picture:
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