North Carolina primaries - are you happy with your vote?

I was one of the last voters in my polling place.  As I walked out, the clock hit 7:30 p.m.

It's always weird voting for the first time in a new place.  The last time I voted, I was in Missouri...where you DON'T have to register under a party affiliation.  Today, the guy behind me said he was also a new voter and was trying to register under an affiliation.  I don't think he got very far.

Also, I find it a little odd that you don't have to show a voter ID card or a picture ID.  I feel like I could be anybody.  What's stopping someone from voting early as themselves and then voting as someone else the day of the election?  

I digress.

It was an interesting election.  First of all, the state board of elections folks said there was an uptick of voters during the last few hours of polls being open.  The marriage amendment seemed to bring out more voters, too.  The turnout from 2012 could surpass the 2008 primary.

In case you've been living under a rock, there was a constitutional amendment on the table asking voters if marriage should be legally defined between a man and a woman.  It passed.  That means we'll likely change our state constitution, even though same sex marriage is currently banned in the state.  North Carolina is now the 30th state to make this kind of move.

[Is this our generation's Civil Rights issue?]

There were also some surprises in our local and regional elections, too.  The race was especially close for a congressional seat between Ilario Pantano and David Rouzer.  Rouzer won, despite Pantano putting up a good fight.  Pantano was hoping to have a rematch between Democrat incumbent Mike McIntyre.

Also, New Hanover County commissioner Jason Thompson got voted out of his seat.  Thompson has been involved with city and county government for quite some time and even said during out 10 p.m. newscast that he was surely going to be looking at a run-off situation.  A lot changed between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.  

And, Charles Warren from Brunswick County failed to move on from his primary.  The commissioner has had one heck of a bad year fighting with fellow board members.  Tonight, the woman Warren kicked out of a county meeting...ended up kicking him out of his seat.  

Politics are like sports.  There are winners and losers.  There are fanatics, blogs, watch parties, and big to-dos.  And in both cases, no matter how passionate you are, there's a good chance the outcome won't immediately or directly impact your family.  However, it doesn't stop us from caring.  And hopefully, it doesn't stop us from voting either.  We may not like all of the outcomes, but at least we took advantage of the chance to be heard.

On a much lighter note - look what happened while I was out field anchoring!  Hugs all around!  Let's see how many hugs I can get out on future liveshots!  ::)