​This was originally published in the Kitsap Sun on November 10, 2024, five days after 2024 General Election day. 

Lines were longer than usual, but Kitsap voters' patience and kindness won Election Day

A voter danced.

On Tuesday, Election Day, in our vote centers, Kitsap voters waited in lines that are long for elections in this state. The last voter to arrive before 8 p.m. finished voting sometime shortly after 10 p.m.

We saw people chatting in line in Poulsbo, Bremerton, and Port Orchard. Our elections staff focused on helping people quickly, and were appreciative of how gracious Kitsap voters were toward us.

We also noticed voters having conversations with each other about matters that seemed weighty. In many cases it was clear you didn't know each other before Tuesday and were talking about the very election you were participating in. In some of those conversations it was apparent you didn't agree with each other. But in those moments, it was also clear you never forgot you were talking with a neighbor, a community member, a friend you'd never met.

We weren't just relieved by your behavior. We were inspired.

Long lines are fuel for impatience, but in your case, you were almost without exception kind to our staff and to each other. In one case where it was clear that the time in line had worn down the graciousness of a voter, he gave us a useful idea on how to improve the process.

Some of you came wearing gear supporting one candidate or another, which under Washington State law is considered electioneering and isn't allowed in vote centers. When we let you know the rule, you complied without complaint.

Perhaps it's the process itself, the democratic process, that inspires good moods. After every election there is a large part of our society happy, even ecstatic, about the result. There is another part disappointed, often devastated. Before we know the outcome, though, based on what we saw on Tuesday, most of us are visibly grateful to have a say.

In Bremerton, the last voter to leave the building actually danced in celebration of having had their voice heard. We wish we'd taken a video and had the chance to splash it all over social media.

We were tired after Tuesday and the days after. We have a wide range of people working for us and we each have our own different feelings about the results. What we would all agree on, though, is we're grateful to be your neighbors.

You were gracious, patient and kind.

From everyone in Kitsap County Elections:

Thank you.

Paul Andrews
Kitsap County Auditor