JACKSONVILLE — I was so very nervous. I just knew I would make a fool of myself. I hadn’t been here in so long.

The last time was 1992 — I was in college, painfully liberal, and I was about to cast my ballot for the Clinton/Gore combo for president.

That last time also happened to be my first time — voting hasn’t been the highest on my “to do” lists lately, you see.

I broke my streak of not voting this week, though, by voting early in the upcoming primary election.

I’m not about to reveal for whom I voted or why, so don’t bother asking.

I will reveal, though, what made my non-voting streak end.

It’s a series of things, really. Some of them are those milestones designed to make one feel like a “grown up.”

I own a home now, so I have a vested interest in this lovely community of ours. I’ve been more transient throughout my life, moving from school to school, job to job. I’ve chosen Jacksonville as my home, though, and I want to make sure it’s the best place it possibly can be.

I’m sure getting older is part of it, too. Age and time have a way of shifting people’s views on life in general.

I also spent about an hour with a candidate this week — I won’t reveal much about this person or for which race they’re a candidate, because I don’t think the person’s name or desired political seat matter much in my change of heart.

It’s what that person did that mattered.

This particular candidate sat down and talked with me. Sure, it started out as a “politiciany” kind of talk.

It turned into so much  more, though. This person broke past the political jargon and the hand-shaking, baby-kissing caricature of a politician we all love to hate and enjoy making fun of.

This particular candidate spoke to me about why there was a need for them to run for office, the “extrapolitical” activities they fill their time with — and the fact that they felt the need to run for office because “it’s necessary” to fix what is wrong in our state.

Yes, we spoke of the state of education, taxes, the economy —all those things you’d expect a politician to be ready to address.

We also talked about religion, the Bible, and pursuing a ministry where your heart leads you.

There was a frank honesty you could see in this candidate’s eyes and feel in their words.

This person wasn’t the typical snake-oil salesman kind of politician you would envision running for office.

We have some really wonderful, down-to-earth people in this community who run for office for the only reason that is acceptable to me — because they truly, honestly believe there is something wrong, and they want to help find the solution.

Several years ago, when I worked at the Daily Progress before, I infamously wrote a column about NOT voting. I gave my reasons why I didn’t vote and was perfectly unashamed to share that.

I dug out that old column and found that some of it still rings true with me:

“... I do believe our system of government is unique, one that cannot work properly without the participation of as many people as care to participate.

I believe whole-heartedly in our system of government.

I am in awe of my forefathers — those brilliant men who designed a government for the people and by the people. It’s an amazing concept to let a group of people choose who will govern them.

I admire people who are passionate about politics. It amazes me every time I hear people debating the issues and the candidates.

Under our form of government, if there is a rule or law in place that is unjust — something not designed for the good of the whole — the whole has the power to change it, whether through a direct vote about that unjust law or a vote for people who have the power to change it.

Our government does not rely on one person to survive. It is a living organism made up of many, and without the participation of many, it fails us all.”

So get out this week and vote early. If you don’t, remember the primary is on March 2.

And for those of you not registered to vote, give yourself that gift. It’s easy to do, won’t cost you a thing, and will give you so much in return.



A post script of sorts:

The last time I voted, it was in the days before “hanging chads” were an issue — I actually got to use the little punch tool to punch out the spaces next to my candidates of choice. This time around I used one of the new-fangled computers the county bought a few years ago.

It was so easy to use, and actually a little bit fun! If you have been a little frightened to use it, give it a whirl. I think you’ll like it.