I have never voted early. I am not adamantly against it. I am just not totally comfortable with it either. I prefer to physically put my ballot in the machine, and I like to see the vote counter click ahead one. It gives me satisfaction — and reassurance that my vote was counted. As such, I show up to my polling place on Election Day and cast my ballot the old fashioned way.

Some people complain about lines at the polls. I don’t mind them. The longer, the better. That also gives me satisfaction and reassurance. I get concerned when I am the only one in the place voting. Several years ago, our company held an event at Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs. I was concerned about the long lines for our event that were extending well into the parking lot. I-Cubs General Manager Sam Bernabe could see my concern and pulled me aside, saying, “Lines are good, Shane. Much better than the alternative.” He was absolutely right.

I don’t have my head in the sand about the importance of early voting. It was clearly one of the determining factors in the last presidential election, and it likely will be again. Only this time, the Republicans seem to understand the significance as well, which will make things interesting.

Early voting has its advantages, especially if you have health issues or concerns with weather or traffic or anything else that may mess up your plans to get to the polls. Supporters of early voting also claim it increases voter turnout among certain groups, reduces wait times at the polls, improves poll worker performance, allows election officials to fix any glitches earlier, is easy to implement and accommodates more voters.

Of course, early voting has disadvantages, too. Opponents say it leads to ill-informed voting, creates logistical concerns, opens the door to more fraud, raises the costs of political campaigns and prevents voters from changing their votes.

The last one seems to be the most legitimate, at least for me, as major news could come out about a candidate that may change a voter’s mind. In reality, I believe this could impact voting choices down the ballot, but I can’t think of anything that would change a voter’s mind on his or her choice for president. In fact, whether we admit it or not, the majority of Americans know which party they are voting for long before the candidates are even chosen. And since we now know a presidential candidate can be effectively selected by Aug. 2, how about we legally and officially shorten the campaign cycle as such?

Our voting system is far from perfect, but I like it. The political campaigning process? Now, that could use some work.

Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's other columns here.

STRAY THOUGHTS
Fidelity to Constitution more important than policy differences

By Randy Evans

A family acquaintance was on Vice President Dick Cheney’s Secret Service detail during George W. Bush’s presidency. His Christmas photo one year was a portrait of him, his wife and Cheney together at a White House reception.

Back then, the agent entertained us with stories of people lining the streets as Cheney’s motorcade passed. Many greeted the vice president with their middle fingers extended.

Back then, those spectators most likely were Democrats who disagreed with Bush administration policies. Today, such roadside salutes for Cheney probably would be extended by Republicans.

Meet Jyll Johnson Miner
Celebrating 35 years in the district

By Lindsey Giardino

Jyll Johnson Miner is one of Johnston Community School District’s longest-serving employees — 35 years of service, to be exact.
When she earned her teaching degree in 1989, there weren’t a lot of jobs available, so the Davenport native applied everywhere she could, even for a position in Johnston, which she’d never heard of before.

The principal of Wallace Elementary at the time would later tell her, “Consider yourself lucky. We’re only interviewing 12 candidates, and over 400 have applied.”
Lucky, indeed.

These celebrities were born on this date: Kim Kardashian, Aaron Tveit, Ken Watanabe, Glen Powell, Judy Sheindlin, Kane Brown, Matthew Ramsey, Amber Rose, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Miller, Patti Davis, Ashley Liao, Blanca Suárez, Catherine Hardwicke, Charlotte Sullivan, Cody Johns

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Why did the apple pie go to the dentist? IT NEEDED A FILLING! - Fail Tomlinson, Rex Post. OR ITS TEETH WERE CRUSTY! - William Snyder

Today's riddle:

What do you call a baker that quits his job?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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Mary Fowler
Account Executive
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mary@dmcityview.com

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