I figured I would come to work on Election Day because it would keep me busy. Helping patrons and working with the kids would mean that I wouldn't have time to really think about the fact that about 11,000 people in my town are going to the polling places and voting on me and the other candidates for school committee. It seemed like a good idea.

Well, it has not worked out that way. In Rhode Island, the schools are closed today because so many of them are used as polling places. Closing them meant less concerns about the security issues of letting a large number of people in the building who have no ties to the kids.

A side effect of that is that I am sitting in the after-school center all by myself. Alone. Me and just the radio. I am working, but I am having a hard time focusing. That is why I am blogging. It is something to focus on becides the election.

I did get to vote this morning. Officials have been warning about a huge turnout in Rhode Island, expecting about 80-85% of our registered voters coming in to let their voices be heard. According to this morning's paper, 86.5% of the populartion eligible to vote is registered. So, it should be pretty good. That means 73.5% of Rhode Island's adult population will hit the polls today.

I was lucky, though. I got in, walked right up to the registration table and was done in less than 10 minutes. It worked out nicely.

I have to decide what I want to do tonight. I was invited to go to the celebration being hosted by the town Democratic Party to hang out and await results. That would be fun. You know me ... I love to schmooze! It does mean that I won't get to sit by the television as they talk about returns and turn our state map red and blue as each one declares for one candidate or the other. I really love that. I will not go to bed until they have decided who won ... that is unless it is too close to call. I do have to work tomorrow.

I am keeping an eye on California's Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage as well as similar questions on ballots in Florida and Arizona. I am also watching Connecticut, where those in opposition of same-sex marriage are hoping a call for a constitutional convention there will allow a quick recall on the ruling by their Supreme Court requiring same-sex marriage on the basis of the state constitution.

No matter what, it will be an exciting evening.