Report from a Seattle voter

Even the long-tenured poll workers couldn't recall seeing so many voters at once. The poll workers are in high spirits and are managing things with grace and efficiency. There wasn't a snag or bump to be seen, despite a room at capacity and a line out the door. There's a giddiness in the air, part from this being the last time at the polling place for most of us, part pride and gratitude at being able to vote at all, and part relief that finally, we can get this day and this election behind us, and time can move forward once again.

The collapsible polling stations each had ten or so voters in line, but since these are paper-and-ink ballots they can be completed anywhere you can find space to write. And they were. Every flat surface in the school library featured voters marking their choices, and a black ink pen became a treasured commodity that was passed to your chosen successor in a way that reminded me of my dad handing me the car keys for the first time.

It's an iconic voting experience today in more ways than I can count.