By M. Scott Carter
They stood in line for hours.
They weren't there for music tickets; they weren't there to see a show. And, no, it wasn't the chef's special at your local all you can eat buffet.
They came to vote.
And they came in huge numbers.
All across the metro area, voters turned out in record numbers last weekend to take advantage of the state's early voting option.
Sure, it was the presidential election which brought them out, but there were other races, too.
United States Senator; United States congressman; state corporation commission; The Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate; even county sheriff.
There also were proposed changes to the state's Constitution, and in south Oklahoma City, changes in the city's charter. In Moore, there also was the call for an $18 million bond issue.
The ballots -- like the line -- were long.
But they still came.
On Tuesday, election day, they came back.
More voters. Young voters. Voters who have cast many ballots -- each willing to stand in line and wait their turn.
Good for them.
Because it was just a few months ago that most of the registered voters in this state sat home on their butts and blew off the primary and runoff elections.
But things are always different when we choose a president.
It's kinda' like being able to say who is gonna' be king.
The funny thing is, those people running in the elections that most voters skip have a much greater impact on your life than either Barack Obama or John McCain will ever have.
Think I'm kidding?
Ask anyone who had to spend days trying to renew their drivers license after it had expired.
It's a fact that the smaller the office -- say county sheriff as compared to U.S. congressman -- the greater the impact on the individual.
But, still, you who stood in line should be proud.
For the general election you did the right thing.
Now, if you'll just keep it up the rest of the year.
