Election Day

On Election Day 2020, Randy and I were in Minot, ND. He was running for re-election for the State House in District 40. I had never been involved in a campaign before, and it was fun. Because the pandemic was still in full swing, there weren't too many campaign events, so the one thing that we did was check campaign signs around Minot - the wind in ND would wreak havoc on them. 

Randy had permission to put one of the big campaign signs in an empty lot next to one of the grocery stores in Minot. We used metal poles, hammering them pretty deep into the ground before attaching the sign. After making sure it was secure, we left and then decided to drive back down that way to check on it later that afternoon. While we were joking about it still being up, we came around the corner and were shocked to see that the sign was down. Someone had bent the metal poles and knocked it over. We got out of the truck, and as we did a woman came out of the house next door screaming at us. I thought well, I didn't think this was the way my life would end - after all, she bent and removed metal sign posts from the ground, so pretty sure she could snap me in half after she took Randy out. Randy had to speak with the 911 operator (yes she called 911 over a campaign sign) to explain that we had permission to put the sign up, and she finally backed down. The sign was restored, although it was just a little crooked. Who knew checking signs could be that exciting?

We were up early on Election Day with Randy's running mates Matt and Karen. We were headed to one of Minot's busy street corners to hold signs and wave to everyone as they drove by. That was what Randy did - he went out every Election Day when he was running for office, and waved to the people. I have to admit that it was fun to do.

We went out again later that afternoon to another street corner to wave. It was marginally warmer, but there was always the wind. We waved, and held up our campaign signs, as people drove by us.

That evening Randy, Matt and I drove around to pick up campaign signs. Randy and Matt wanted to have their signs down after the polls were closed out of respect for everyone, especially the property owners who allowed us to put signs up. As we were driving, Matt said that they had always wondered who would win the "Schobinger Sweepstakes" and he declared me the winner. We joked that we would get t-shirts made with my picture and "I won the Schobinger Sweepstakes" for Randy to wear to the next session.

Karen, Randy and Matt were all re-elected that evening for another 4 years of service to the State of North Dakota. The morning after the election, we all went back out to wave, but this time it was with thank you signs, because that was what Randy did - he appreciated the support of his constituents and never took it for granted. In return, he did a lot for the people of Minot, and the State of North Dakota, over his 20 years of public service. 

This Election Day this year will look a bit different for me. I'll probably go to bed early, and see what the world looks like in the morning. There won't be any refreshing of results on the computer, with local news on one t.v. and national news on another, people texting and waiting for results. It's a little sad, but that's okay.