A line worth standing in

Every weekday since Oct. 6, when early voting began, and most Saturdays, people have lined up outside of the Taos County Clerk’s office to cast their ballots, wearing their masks and standing safely apart.

This line is a beautiful sight. It is a symbol of hope that people still believe in the power of their vote. They care enough to stand in line, sometimes for half an hour or more, to cast their ballot.

Some are Republicans or Libertarians – or they declined to state. Many are Democrats.

Maybe they don’t know the party of the person standing in line ahead and behind them. Maybe they do. Somehow this line manages to be civil.

They joke a little, sip coffee, catch up with old friends.

Maybe some of them have attended protests, lain down in streets, carried guns to show their belief in Second Amendment rights, marched, supported Black Lives Matter, supported police and shouted at rallies.

It doesn’t matter. In this line they are equal. This line is sacred. This line of voters — women, people of color, of different faiths— was hard won. People died in wars on foreign and on American soil to ensure everyone has the right to stand in the line. Suffragists and civil rights activists were beaten, jailed and force-fed fighting to ensure all Americans could vote.

Their sacrifices are honored every time every one of us votes.

In this line, everyone is simply exercising that right. No one can tell them whom to choose. No one has the right to know how they voted.

Many things have changed with the pandemic. This line is a small silver lining, of people so determined to cast their vote they wait patiently next to people they may not agree with, all making the time to have their say in a government for the people, by the people.

As of Tuesday (Oct. 20), a total of 5,971 voters – 4,768 Democrats, 571 Republicans, 583 independents, 18 Libertarians and 31 other – had cast their ballots. More than half of them voted in person since Oct. 6, when early voting began. The rest sent their absentee ballots in nice and early.

Oct. 20 was the last day to request an absentee ballot. But there is still time to vote early and in person before the big Nov. 3 Election Day. You also have time to drop your absentee ballot in the mail or in one of two official drop boxes outside the clerk’s office. Absentee ballots must be received by Nov. 3 by mail or in person.

Not registered? Bring a photo ID to the county clerk’s office. You can register and vote the same day through Oct. 31, which also is the last day to vote early.

Make the time. This is a crucial election. Vote.