Back in November of last year I had to renew my driver's license (got a terrible photo, by the way). When the assisting officer asked if I wanted to register to vote I thought, "What the heck!" and told him okay, sure, why not?
Now, some people out there might blow a gasket at my stating the fact that I don't vote. Let me go on record right now and tell you I've heard all the arguments, all the opinions - both reasonable and dumb-ass - from people over the years about voting and non-voting. I stand firmly by my own opinion that if, on that ballot, there isn't a single person I feel worthy of giving my vote to then I'm not voting. It's like being given a choice between being snake-bit by a copperhead or a rattle snake ... I'm supposed to choose between the lessor of two evils? I prefer not being bitten at all, thank you very much.
But there's another side to being a registered voter I'd completely forgotten about. Jury duty. Needless to say, getting a summons for duty in the mail the other day was, well, a surprise. And ya' know what? I'm not complaining. I'm kinda' thinking it might be cool.
Years ago I lived in a small town in South Carolina. It was 1992 and the only year I have ever registered to vote. I got summoned that year, too. Only that time I was called for jury duty in Superior court and would have had to serve for the entire year. Somehow, they had too many people and ended up throwing everybody's name in a hat, pulled twelve names and two alternates. My name didn't get pulled and that was that. Never served, life moved along. Didn't give it anymore thought.
Thanks to that officer at the DMV I've been offered (okay, summoned) a second change. While I know for some serving on jury duty is a big hassle and everybody always gripes about it I'm oddly looking forward it. It's not out of any feeling of civic duty or other such stuff as that. It's about having a new experience. Who knows what might happen?
No, I'm not looking for drama of a murder trail or tangled intrigue of illegal mayhem. Surprisingly, for being relatively small, this county has had it's share of such doings. But I'm not sure I'd want someone's future in my hands ... to be part of a panel of people that could put someone in jail for the rest of their life, or worse. Doesn't sound like something anyone would find enjoyable unless you were nuts. It's simply the process of it all. Learning about the system (which, I know - I know, is flawed) and what all goes on when you serve on jury duty. What kind of cases do you hear? Etc, etc, etc.
So, on February 23rd I'll be at the courthouse in my Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes and see what's what. I'll stuff a book and some knitting in a bag in case they make me wait around. Who knows, they, too, might just send me back home.
Namaste, y'all ...
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