The Ledger

By Becky Holland

I remember the first time I voted.

I had studied the sample ballot like I was preparing for a final exam. I knew exactly what I was going to do. I was ready. I was excited. I was officially a grown-up.

My parents and my older sister, Tracey, all went together. It felt like a big deal—because it was.

My mom made sure everyone knew it was my first time voting.

Everyone.

People working the polls who had known me since I was about nine years old smiled and said things like, “Well, look at you!” and “She’s all grown up!” There may have been a few oohs and aahs mixed in for good measure.

Tracey, of course, found this highly entertaining.

“Make sure you push the right buttons,” she whispered, just loud enough to make me second-guess everything I had studied.

Then it was my turn.

I got checked in and was led to a voting booth. I stepped inside, determined and ready to do my civic duty.

There was just one problem.

I couldn’t get the curtain to close.

I pulled. I pushed. I tried again. Nothing.

I’m sure at that point I looked like I was wrestling the voting booth instead of using it.

Finally, one of the poll workers came over, reached up, gave the lever a simple tug—and just like that, it closed.

Just like that.

Once I actually got to voting, it was… easy.

Simple.

A few minutes later, I walked out, looked around, and thought, Is that all?

After all that buildup, all that studying, all that anticipation—it really was that simple.

And maybe that’s the point.

Sometimes we build things up in our minds to be bigger or more complicated than they really are. Voting is important—there’s no question about that. But the act itself? It’s straightforward.

You show up. You check in. You vote.

That’s it.

Early voting is already underway in Bleckley County, with the primary election set for May 19 and early voting ending May 15.

If you’ve never voted before—or if it’s been a while—don’t overthink it.

And you don’t have to worry about a curtain if you early vote like I did this year.

Go vote. Bleckley County, let your voices be heard.