Number 31
I voted this morning in the Boston Primary Election. We have a semi-old-fashioned “fill in the box on the ballot card” voting system that worked perfectly well. It turns out I was the 31st voter today for my precinct, which means either I got up pretty early or there aren’t that many people voting in the primary.
As I approached the polling location, I was accosted by supporters of about six or seven candidates, making a last minute pitch for their guy (I didn’t see anyone lobbying for the female candidates, unfortunately). I have some vague recollection about laws restricting lobbying near the vooting booth, but apparently in boston it’s okay up to about 3 inches from the entrance to the building.
Rob Consalvo, our district councilor, was also handing out pens by the polling place, although there is no primary election for his seat. I asked him if he was endorsing anyone, and he said, “officially, no,” but then told me everyone he liked… which ended up being a good deal more than you can actually vote for.
The most moving plea was from an older lady: “Vote for my son, Ed Flynn, he’s a veteran!” (Ed Flynn is one of the few conservatives in the race. He also has no website.) I told her I would, but I lied.