So I find myself in the Great Wood again for another day of walkin' and thinkin'...

Today's subject that has been upon my mind is the 2020 election, but not in the way that y'all are a-thinkin'...

I was a poll worker for three presidential primaries and elections and all the primaries and general elections inbetwixt, being the Majority Inspector of Elections in my district. Generally 14 to 16 hour days of being trapped in a school or church with not much to do - most primaries or elections or way too much to do - as was the case in 2008, 2012, and 2016...

I am extremely delighted that I will not be working this upcoming election. Absentee ballots were bad enough, mail-in ballots will be a nightmare. And there is a difference that most in the media downplay. An absentee ballot is requested by the voter and in the case of my state, a reason must be given as to why one cannot vote at a polling place. Mail-in ballots are just sent out to everyone all willy-nilly...

I personally did not enjoy absentee ballots for I had to look at them to match the signature that was on file then check to make sure that person did not vote in person, which voided the absentee ballot immediately. So I looked at everyone's 'secret' ballot and I knew for whom that person voted. I do not know how mail-in balloting will work, but I am sure the methodology will be very similar...

I never wanted nor did I need to know how my neighbors vote, but that was my job twice per year barring some sorta special election...

I am most happy that I no longer am involved in poll work, and my thoughts here are done so it must be time to walk on, intrepid explorer...