I decided not to vote early because I wanted more time to research the candidates in my district. And after spending a couple hours reviewing the sample ballot on my county Web site, checking out candidates’ home pages and watching YouTube videos of speeches, I actually have changed my mind who I will vote for as the Illinois representative to congress. With less than 24 hours before I cast my vote, I can’t believe I am still changing my mind.

This will be the third presidential election I am voting in. I look back to when I cast my first presidential vote and see how much I have change politically. It amazes me to see how a little more life experience has changed what matters to me and what I believe is important. While I hope I have still kept some of the passion and faith in the American political system I had at eighteen, I know I cannot go back to the way I was before.

In the past ten years, I have seen the governor I used to work for and believe in go to jail for illegal acts he performed when he was Secretary of State. I watched as my contacts in the Department of Defense went through Rumsfeld’s resignation—and many of them did not come out the other side. And I have seen how corrupt politics  and inept politicians have left communities in which I used to live in shambles after Hurricane Katrina. Though I have tried not to let this disappointments make me lose faith in the political system, I know I am ready for a change. I believe in the power of one vote, and I will use my vote to make a difference.

On a less philosophical note, I planted my mom’s tulips today. My nails are dirty and I don’t know if I’ll ever get the mud out of my jeans, but it felt good to be working in the garden again. I miss my canister garden in Salt Lake City, but I LOVE having my parents’ huge yard just a couple miles away so I can play in it.