So I arrived at the town's only polling place at 7:05 a.m., and there were long, long lines at each of the precinct tables. When I received my ballot, I was the 26th Republican just at the East Glenrock table.

Saw lots of people who work in Casper -- some of whom I didn't even realize vote in Converse County.

When my ballot went into the machine, it was the 43rd into that machine -- each precinct has its own machine.

Converse County voters are voting to increase the sales tax to pay for two projects -- a new detention center and a new animal shelter.

There's something sort of weird about watching two hours of SNL Presidential Bash just before sleeping and voting for the real deal just after waking.

The election season has ended -- the next phase of American democracy is just about to begin.

And yes, I'm proudly wearing my "I Voted," sticker, along with my two flag pins on my shirt. The other buttons are safe at home, reminders of a fall not soon forgotten -- for a variety of reasons.