A special election for city council was held today and it was surprisingly hotly contested. Candidates stood outside in the cold, trying to look confident. Rumors flew mid-day about irregularities with absentee ballots (even in a small town, non-presidential race!) 30 minutes after the polls closed, the door to the building opened and the small crowd rushed forward. 240 for Mr. Baker, 33 for Mr. Dunkley, 249 for Ms. Johnson.
No one seemed to grasp the results for a moment. Not even one of the candidates. "You lost by nine votes," I heard a voice say behind me. "How do you know?" A surprised look, "He just announced it."
Beth's first call was to her husband, then to her father. An hour later, she turned to me and said, pushing at her cheeks, "I can't stop smiling." Small town elections are great.