“Are you looking for the polling station?” The sweet old woman had come out of nowhere. “It’s right there, across the street. If you could vote for Juanita as your City Councilor, I would appreciate it. She lives in the neighborhood. She really is wonderful.”

“Okay.” I noted a sign which stated No Soliciting Within Two Blocks and went inside where a slightly younger woman checked my identification and handed me a laminated folder. I opened the folder in the booth and discovered two ballots and filled in one, selecting Juanita, and inserted the ballot into the machine.

“Excuse me.” I returned the folder and the extra ballot to another woman. “I think I was given an extra.”

“Extra pen?”

“An extra ballot.”

“Huh.” She stared back at me. “I think I know who that was.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble here.”

“No one is in trouble, no sir!” She marched across the polling station. “Juanita!”