Her vote really counts

Angelique Flores

When voters cast their ballots, not many give much consideration to

the electoral college. However, this controversial presidential election

has put this important process and group of voters in the limelight.

One Huntington Beach woman has especially been paying close attention

to the race between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush

because she will head up to Sacramento next week to cast her own ballot.

When Jill Hardy, 29, accepted her appointment to California’s

electoral college, she had no idea how exciting it would be.

In September, Ted Crisell, the former democratic nominee for the 45th

Congressional District seat, had to make his appointment to the electoral

college. During a campaign meeting for the 71st Assembly District, Hardy

caught his attention.

Jokingly, Crisell said he appointed Hardy because “she was cute.”

But besides being “a babe,” her enthusiasm, intelligence and energy

also caught his eye.

“I though ‘hey, she’s neat,”’ Crisell said. “Now, I know I picked the

right person.”

Hardy, a math and Advanced Placement economics teacher at Huntington

Beach High School, was an unlikely choice.

“It pays to be active, and it pays to come to meetings,” Crisell said.

Her enthusiasm for the opportunity has transferred to her students,

who want daily updates on the election from her.

“I’ve learned a lot and explained it to them,” said Hardy, who is

voting in only her third presidential election. “I was more interested

[in this election] from the start, and then things got more and more

interesting.”

Being a part of the process, Hardy knows more about the benefits and

criticisms of having an electoral college. She and her students have a

better understanding of the process.

“Part of doing this was telling people how it works,” Hardy said.

Hardy has been interested in local politics since she sat on the

Huntington Beach Youth Board when she was 15. However, this is her first

taste of partisan politics.

The teacher will spend Monday in Sacramento casting her vote, and she

is most looking forward to meeting Gov. Gray Davis.

“This is my 15 minutes of fame, and I’m enjoying every minute of it,”

Hardy said.

Upon her return, she will speak to government classes over the

subsequent three days about her electoral experience.

“This whole process shows how powerful and how meaningful just one

vote is,” Crisell said. “This is a lesson we’re learning right now very

dramatically.”