WHAT'S YOUR VOTING STORY?

ESSENCE.com wants your voting story and it could be featured on our homepage!

Tell us below: How your voting experience? How do you feel about the day? Do you have any election predictions?

Be sure to have a head shot posted in your profile and include your first name and last name initial, age and where you live.

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Permalink Reply by Radia Hassan on November 4, 2008 at 9:19am: I voted first thing in the morning! My polling place is in my building and when I went down at 5:45 AM there was already a line! It took me about 30 minutes to get through the line. I am so excited. I am cautiously optimistic that Barack will pull this out! I'be been emotional all day, becuase of all that this could mean for so many people. I've volunteered with the campaign, so I am very invested. I've got no ticket to the rally but I live across the street so I'll be able to hear and kinda see what's going on. I just may run down and dance in the street with everyone should he win!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dana Roxette on November 4, 2008 at 10:01am: As I arrived at the voting center at 6 a.m. I felt as though it was something I had to do for myself and others around me. Noticing the young people who were voting for the first time and the volunteers who were eager to sign us up and get us voting was inspirational. But when I stepped into that booth it became a spiritual lesson to me that anything in God's power is possible. I said a small prayer that this election be in his hands and his will be done.......and my day has been beautiful every since.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rakisha on November 4, 2008 at 10:27am: My voting experience was excellent. It went better than I expected. I brought my two little daughters, who are 3 and 1-years-old. We only had to wait in line for about 15 minutes before we were able to get into the polling station. Once in, my election district line was short. I signed in and went in to vote. My 3-year-old flipped the switch for Obama, and then my kids and I all pulled the lever together to enter our vote. As we left, I told them them that one day they will be able to tell their children how they helped vote for America's first Black president.

I'm confident Obama is going to win.

I'm absolutely estatic about today. I'm overwhelmed witih joy, hope, and power. I feel like I'm standing on the verge of getting on, like the day I graduated from grad school. Unstoppable!

Rakisha W., 36
Brooklyn, NY; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tenicia Speech on November 4, 2008 at 10:27am: Tenicia S. 35yrs old, Jackson, Mississippi
I woke up at 5:00 a.m. I was excited and anxious. I was in line to vote at 6:20 a.m. this morning with my 63 year old mother. It took us an hour to vote. Once we finished, my mother went to pick up her 91 year old cousin to take him to vote and once she returned, I took my 67 year old father. All I can say is today was one of the most important days of my life.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jo Ann Alvies on November 4, 2008 at 10:31am: I voted early, I took my 3 year old daughter.
An older female voter, asked my daughter who she was voting for. My baby looked at me and whispered, "Who we vote for mama". I whispered in her ear "Obama". My child looked at this woman and very loudly stated "We votey for Yo Mama".
Of course every one laughed and she didn't understand why they were laughing at her. I explained her slip of the tounge and she said we vote for OBAMA.

I am happy my child was with me to vote in this historical election. I will always smile when I think of the day I cast my vote for the First African American President of the United States.

Jo Ann (Las Vegas Nevada)

CHANGE IS HERE!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nina on November 4, 2008 at 11:21am

It was very low key. I am a stay at home mom so I went during the lull of the day (11 AM).

I took my two year old son and we were only in line for 20 minutes! As I looked around the elementary school cafeteria I started to see visions of my son attending school there in the future and learning in Social Studies that our 44th president of the United States was Barack Obama. My heart swelled with pride as we walked out each sporting an "I Voted" sticker.

Nina J.
28
Germantown, MD

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Permalink Reply by Levi12 on November 4, 2008 at 11:34am

Hello i got up this AM @ 545, i reached the polls at 605 AM waited about 30 mins and i voted . And you know something i felt really good doing it. I love to vote, but today was very special.

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Permalink Reply by Shakeira on November 4, 2008 at 12:36pm: Excited about the election I began my day earlier than usual this morning; I made breakfast for my husband and seven year old twins. As I was preparing to leave my daughter asked mommy it's still dark out where are you going? I replied “Mommy has to vote this morning” She turned, looked at her paternal twin (my son) and to my surprise said “we voted yesterday.” Shocked I asked where did you vote? They chuckled together and said nickjr.com & we hope Obama wins. My husband I stood speechless.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kendra frazier on November 4, 2008 at 1:05pm: Hello everyone! I voted this morning and it was such an amazing experience. I woke up extra early because I knew that the lines would be long and I had to take my three year old daughter with me. She did a wonderful job waiting. We stood in line for 3 hours and it was pretty chilly outside. So I reccomend everyone to go out and vote and don't get discourage becuase of the long lines. My three year old daughter waited, so I know you guys can wait!! Vote!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Angelaxx on November 4, 2008 at 2:05pm: Angela E 35 Greensboro N.C.

I didn't vote today , I early voted 2 weeks ago because I knew today they would try to disenfranchise voters. We had voter issues in Raliegh NC. I can say that most of the people I talked today had no lines and no waiting. 30% of NC early voted. Today will be one for the history books and no matter what color you are Be proud to be an America. Globally everybody is waiting for the outcome. Barack the vote!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by T.R. Writer on November 4, 2008 at 2:23pm: I stood in line two Saturdays ago for early voting for 2 1/2 hours. The lines here in Orlando now are ridiculous! I have to admit, seeing so many Black people voting is a beautiful thing and seeing so many White people voting for Obama is just as beautiful. I have to wake up for work in less than three hours and haven't been asleep yet, I'm that nervous and excited!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lori Lee on November 4, 2008 at 2:51pm: I was in line at 7:00 am this morning & it took me 1 & 1/2 hours to vote!!! The crazy thing is I loved it, it was a beautiful thing to see so many people involved in the voting process!!!! At no point in my life did I ever think I would see history being made!!!!! It was such a diverse crowd at my voting place & it should have made everyone proud that we have a CHOICE!!!! I love the fact my vote for the FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT will count!!!!!

L. Lee
Bloomfield, CT; ▶ Reply to This