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FeedMy Vote, My Fault
June 4: June 3 was primary-election day. Mayor Jerry Sanders will get four more years. We’ll have to wait to see if Mike Aguirre or Jan Goldsmith will be the city attorney. If you heeded my advice, as it appeared in my San Diego Magazine column, you voted. I, unfortunately, became an accidental hypocrite. I did not vote.
Oh, there I was in print, in the May issue, making fun of people who don’t vote. I noted how easy it is to be a mail-in voter. And I told folks who don’t get their “I Voted” sticker to not let me catch them complaining about local government. Flying crapcakes, though—that’s part of my job.
On that fateful Tuesday, I woke up in Memphis. The City & Regional Magazine Association’s annual meeting had just concluded. I was booked on U.S. Airways, through Phoenix, to arrive in San Diego at 6 p.m. Yes, we were delayed in Phoenix.
The plane landed at 7:50. By the time I got my bag and jumped into the car, it was after 8 p.m., when the polls close. I tried anyway. It was 8:22 when I rushed into the Balboa Club. A man with a bushy mustache sat at a white desk with official-looking papers in front of him. Several Asian women were scurrying about with signage and placards. They were still open…
…But the day was over. “The polls are closed,” boomed mustachioed man, in a loud, authoritarian voice. I told him my airplane story. He gazed through me with an I’ve-got-a-bowl-of-hot-Hungarian-stew-waiting-for-me-at-home look. He didn’t even offer me a sticker.
I’m sorry. I apologize for my hypocrisy. I take full responsibility for cutting the time too close. (Note to public: Think twice about flying U.S. Airways. A flight attendant went on the loudspeaker to announce we had been served the last complimentary pretzels ever on their flights. They’re doing away with even that freebie.)
But I want to hear from the public. Even City Councilman Jim Madaffer (who never returns my calls) is free to chime in. Can I continue to complain about city politics? I promise to vote in the November primary election…
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Reader Comments:
Sure you can still complain! Venting feels great! Many many people didn't vote this time around. I think there was too much going on in national politics, and people were distracted. I did vote, but have to admit I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. I didn't recognize a bunch of the candidates on the ballot. oops.