Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Election event should be bigger

Ive just covered my first election in Nevada County and I have to admit that I wasnt quite ready for the event. In this case, thats actually a good thing.

Ive covered elections in a larger city where each candidate rented a building or even reserved an entire restaurant for a watch party. Ive covered the small town elections where voters hovered around ballot counters, anxiously passing on news of the latest totals. And Ive covered the county returns in which those interested in watching the counting gathered in the courthouse.

Nevada County - I have to say - has the best idea Ive seen.

I trotted over to the courthouse about the time I expected ballot counting to begin and found that the courthouse lawn had been transformed into a giant tailgate party.

I admit that my immediate reaction that this was rather hokey, but the idea grew on me as I walked through the crowds, visiting with those I know and being introduced to those I didnt.

Many of the candidates were there with families and friends forming support groups. I started memorizing where specific candidates were camped. Then I realized that I was meeting up with those candidates all over the place. Roaming around, shaking hands and greeting were the order of the evening - even though the polls had officially closed and the official politicking were done.

Some who had come to participate in this giant watch party had brought ice chests. Soft drinks were passed around to help battle the humidity. Hungry? No problem. The candidates and their supporters had chips, dips, cookies and all sorts of food. And our local Lions Club was ready for the event with their concession stand.

I even noticed that there were several folks set up across the street from the front of the court house, and their camp included a grill. I never did make it over there, but I wondered what was on the menu on that side of the street.

Though I know Prescott isnt the only city to ever come up with this idea, its the first time Id been to one. I dont know who came up with the idea, but it was a good one.

All-in-all, this was great, though they tell me it was once a much bigger event and that the watch parties of a few years ago actually covered the entire courthouse lawn and spilled down the street.

I know that times change, but it would be great if that were repeated. Maybe it would become more popular again if we give it a name - maybe the courthouse lawn, election day, tailgate, watch party. I think that has a nice ring, and for the next county-wide elections, Ill promote the idea.