Yesterday, after >5 years of paperwork and several thousands of dollars in filing fees, my husband became a United States citizen. (This is a thread.) 1/

He had missed our state's voting registration deadline by about five days. HOWEVER, at the swearing-in ceremony, someone asked about voting. They were told there was an exception for new citizens: they could register in person up until 4p the day before the election. 2/

Today, he called our town hall to ask what he needed to do/where he needed to go. The clerk said: "If you make it here by 12p, you can register and vote today. But we have to close the doors at 12p."

Reader, it was 11:43.

3/

He bolted out the door into the snow and ran to the town hall, arriving at 11:58a. There were two town hall employees standing at the doors. "Are you the new citizen?" they asked. 4/

"Yes!"
"He made it!"
The town clerk came out from her office. The town hall employees APPLAUDED. 5/

He was the LAST person to arrive for early voting in our town. The doors were closed as soon as he got through them. But he made it. 6/

Yesterday my husband became a US citizen.

Today he registered to vote, and VOTED. 7/

I'm so proud of him, mindful of our privilege, and thankful to live in a state where voting is relatively straightforward. (I voted by mail a few weeks ago--ballot accepted!)

2020 sucks but today does not. 8/8