We thought this day would never come. Since election season started, Colorado has been more than just the land of ski resorts and altitude sickness. It has also become a political battleground, and us Boulderites have been caught in the cross fire.
For months, our televisions have been ransacked by campaign ads, our walks to class intercepted by volunteers reminding us to register, and our campus graced with what by now feels like bi-monthly visits from Barack Obama.
(Josh Shettler/CU Independent Illustration)
All of it boils down to today’s election.
Living in a swing state can be an exciting experience. All eyes have been on Colorado, earning us some national publicity. We have also had the opportunity to host and participate in major events, such as this year’s first presidential debate.
But swing state life can also have some downsides. How many times did you have to explain to young volunteers, that yes, you are already registered to vote, and yes, it is at your current address? What about that time when you wanted to hit up The Sink for dinner, but couldn’t get in because the president was already munching inside?. Think of how many nights you’ve stayed up wondering, “How did both Obama AND Romney campaigners get a hold of my phone number, and when are they going to stop asking if they can count on my vote?”
Such situations may have seemed more like political badgering in recent months than responsible political activism. And certainly, this is not entirely inaccurate. I doubt any of us are going to miss the constant onslaught of political TV, internet, and radio commercials too much.
While POTUS-caused road closures, incessant phone calls, home visits from campaigners and political arguments between friends on Facebook might have been an inconvenience, it is important to remember the outcome. These last few months of political bickering and consequential annoyance is, in fact, democracy at its finest.
Few places allow such public, political brazenness as the United States. Even the most unfounded opinions get a place in our political discourse. And so while you and I by now have grown weary of hearing political banter, from the candidates and from the “expert” opinions of our peers alike, they are nevertheless important.
This is not another “make your vote count” advertisement; if you don’t want to vote this year, then by all means, do not vote. This is a reminder that election season in Colorado is not a “problem” for Boulder girls — or Boulder men, women or children, for that matter. Witnessing an election season in such an important state is a pretty exciting privilege.
That being said, your most pressing post-election Boulder girl problem may very well be learning how to occupy your time once you do not have political campaign ads to distract you, and far fewer #ObamaCU visits to attend. There is only one more day of campaign season bliss, this is the big finale. Who knows, you might even miss the door-to-door campaigners when they’re gone. And in any case, you can expect plenty of political analysis about our newly elected (or reelected) president once the results are in, you do not have to say goodbye to the politi-speak just yet.
Happy voting day!
Contact CU Independent Opinion Editor Taryne Tosetti at Taryne.tosetti@colorado.edu.
