Chastain Park was packed early Sunday afternoon with golfers, young baseball players and walkers enjoying the autumn sunshine and perfect blue sky.
Watching the ballplayers warming up in their sparkling blue jerseys and white baseball pants brought back memories of the years when my children played youth sports at the park. I also remembered happy days playing North Fulton's golf course, amphitheater concerts and long walks around one of Atlanta's most bucolic places.
We were there for early voting in the gym's converted weight-lifting room. Unlike the record breaking turnout of the week before, and those enjoying the outdoors, only a few people were casting their ballots.
After voting for the full Democratic ticket and figuring out which amendments to vote for, I printed out and scanned my paper ballot into a machine. As I left, I noticed a sullen middlle-aged couple seated by the door, I supposed GOP observers on the lookout for any sign of nefarious activity. Thanks to the dutiful poll workers, democracy ran smoothly.
For years, I believed in going to the polls on election day as a sacred ritual. But I've come to like the convenience of early voting.
Heading out the door, I picked up the peach sticker that said that once again I was a Georgia voter.
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