Voting Day - the difference between California and Texas

Today I voted in a historic election. I feel it is historic mainly because so many people are actually going to exercise their right to vote and not remain apathetic as in MANY past elections. As I voted today in my first presidential election in Texas, I grew nostalgic thinking of the differences between voting in California and now here in Texas.

1. I miss the sample ballot. The one that has everything and everyone you are going to vote for in a handy booklet with your polling location. In Texas I had to download it from our local papers site and double check my polling location online.
2. I miss the voter's information pamphlet. I know most people didn't read it - but I did. It helped to read about candidates and issues in an unbiased format. In Texas I researched everything online via the newspaper site (which may have been input with a bias). I diligently marked my printed voters sheet only to find that most of the candidates I researched I didn't vote for. Note for next year - look at the voters registration card.
3. Voters registration card - have one here, no need in California
4. I don't miss voting on endless propositions that are written to be as confusing as possible.
5. I miss our voting place in California. It was held in one of the cleanest garages I had ever seen. They had one of those fake geese on their front porch dressed as Uncle Sam for the election. The church I voted at here was fine - but I miss the goose.
6. I miss the voting sticker that say "I voted". A few years back San Diego decided to do away with the voting sticker for cost purposes, there was such an uproar that the stickers were brought back the next election. I miss the stickers - a slip of paper just doesn't do it.
7. The best thing about voting in Texas though is that a winner won't be announced before I even head to the polls like in the Calfornia.

And now for a more personal opinion. In this election I have talked with many people who are voting in fear. Fear that if their candidate does not win, the apocalypse will certainly be at hand. While I certainly understand the basis for these concerns, and I am all for anything that helps people get out to vote, it comes to mind that Jesus walked the earth in a pretty decadent society and yet was able to share the good news of salvation in spite of it or perhaps because of it. The outcome of an election does not remove God from His throne. It will not take Him by surprise; He doesn't need polls. I was looking up verses today and came across this on this election day:

1 Peter 2:12-17 (Today's New International Version)
12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of the foolish. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love your fellow believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Today we should vote, we should pray for our nation and those in authority. But mostly I am reminded that my faith, trust and hope is in God - not in who wins an election.