Ever been the victim of bad timing? As one of three elected volunteer officers of a condominium association, I have worked for the past 18 months on a proposal which has to be passed by a 51% of homeowners before it can be enacted. I have also recently realized that choosing a vote deadline just days before the national election might not have been the smartest idea.
While I’m certain nothing we do in our little community will ever ripple much farther than our own property lines, I have also figured out that the 168 homeowners who elected me to their board often seem to be a microcosm of what I see happening in our nation. We have some folks who are very engaged, but at least half of the community is apathetic and non-involved, which makes obtaining a majority quorum or vote almost impossible. Members of this “silent majority” never attend meetings or participate in any way in our community, but they may suddenly rear up when they see or hear about something they don’t like, and then complain at the top of their lungs. When that happens, they admit they don’t read the newsletter or official letters mailed to them. They are clueless about meetings where these items are constantly reviewed and discussed. Instead, they stomp on top of their soap boxes and hurl accusations and hint of “shady” dealings behind closed doors. They fabricate lies and spread them with effortless vitriol, and call for impeachments or audits. A few even go to unimaginable lengths by threatening property and persons. And then, there are the rumormongers who gladly jump on their bandwagons and gleefully spread their lies without knowing any of the facts. It’s almost enough to make you want to quit working on behalf of the entire community. Almost.
Looking at the national election through this lens, I can only imagine the intestinal fortitude it takes to run for public office. How hard it must be to bear the lies and spun half-truths that are relentlessly posted, printed, tweeted and broadcast on a national stage. It is no wonder that people are turning out in record numbers to vote early. We just want this embarrassment of a national election to go away.
In a few days, we’ll know the outcome of our little condo vote. Right now, its course is as uncertain as the national election seems to be. Our condo ballot results will direct our financial future for the next 10 years. A few days later, the results of the national election will determine who the next occupant of the White House will be for the next four years. It is certain that person will determine what mindset the Supreme Count will be taking for many, many years after that.
So, even with all of the uncertainty and apathy and negativity – in our little condo community as well as across our nation – I will choose to believe that there are good, caring people who will be focused on doing good things – with our help. Together we’ll stand strong for what’s right and fair. I may not always agree with those elected to be our leaders, but I do have a renewed appreciation for them and what they’re trying to do to make our little piece of the world a better place. I’m going to hang onto that thought, and, no matter what, never let negativity win.
Carmel Hearn 
An update to this article – Our condo proposal passed by two votes. It was a nail-biter down to the end and a microcosmic version of Florida Florida Florida if ever there was one. The moral to this story and to our national election is that every vote really does matter.