Perhaps it's because I am voting, for the first time, in a new city.

Perhaps it's because I am voting in a precinct that's completely different from the one I've been voting on for the last five elections. I used to vote in one school that caters to several barangays' worth of voters, in the province with the second biggest number of votes, and that never ceased to be chaotic. This time around, it was one school for one barangay, so even if it took me and Shalla two hours to vote, it wasn't as crowded. Or maybe it's because it's the token social distancing requirements.

Perhaps because of all that, I was more observant than usual. New city, new route to the voting center (by foot, because we are idiots), new intricacies to deal with. I realized what a thankless job it is being a teacher overseeing the voting process, for one. They're used to dealing with rowdy children every morning (although it may have gotten rusty due to the past couple of years of online classes) but nothing would prepare them from bored voters, usually the older ones, who think they know better, ergo, they shouldn't be waiting in line.

That said, I wasn't observant enough to notice what Shalla did on our walk to the school. She heard a guy complain that they only got a hundred bucks for... something. Vote-buying? It is a sure-fire way to keep your stranglehold on power, even if you've reigned over the city for decades, to the point that you're running against a little-known independent for mayor, and an in-law is the only candidate for vice mayor. What I did notice were the throngs of people giving away flyers on our way to the school. I know this isn't a new thing, but back then I took the jeepney to my voting precinct, and all I saw were these very flyers littering the road in front of the school I voted in. Not much trash this time, or at least when we got there. I did see one flyer which emphasized that a candidate for a local position is "PINSAN NI BBM". He's a Romualdez, so it's arguably not much of a stretch.

I also noticed just how many of those in line with me were first-time voters. At least I assume they are. They weren't dressed appropriately for the weather - and election days tend to be on the hottest days of the summer. But then, I don't wear leggings. Shalla said they can be cool. Then again, she said that before I told her I saw someone wearing what I would categorize as a full-on cosplay outfit. Or maybe it's just a kimono and her hair is of a shocking color.

But, new voters. It's a good thing, right? It has been a really... passionate campaign these past few months, and it would be a shame if the people who were suddenly outspoken on social media would just be all talk. It says something about how these voters have perceived the last six years and have resolved to put matters in their own hands, for lack of a better term.

But it also says something about how some of these folks didn't bother to vote before, perhaps feeling that they wouldn't be able to change a thing anyway. I've counted several of my peers who are also voting for the first time today. They also tended to be outspoken on social media, but, turns out, that's about it. Like, I know not voting is a choice you can make, and I believe you are entitled to your say in a democracy even if you don't participate in the most basic act - because you're still paying taxes one way or another - but, like, you can't do that one thing every three years? You don't vote, and when you don't like the result, you openly wish that voting be restricted to taxpayers or college-educated folk or whatever?

It's a moot point now, though. Better late than never, although arguably, it may be too late now. The vote may be closer than what the surveys suggest, but the fact that there's a gap is because we got too comfortable, and we took things for granted, and perhaps we were powered by self-interest more than anything. We didn't vote because we didn't think we could change a thing, and besides, the lines are long and the wait is uncomfortable. But today I've seen my peers post about bringing all these things, as if they're going on a quick staycation, ready to wait for hours just so they themselves can feed their ballots in the counting machines rather than risk being disenfranchised by folks desperate to cling on to power. No, I don't say that to ridicule. Democracies are imperfect by nature, after all - and it's precisely why we flirt so often with ripping it al up for the sake of tangible, visible progress.