My Short Stories. Election Buzz.

It was late autumn, and the small town of Maplewood buzzed with anticipation. The American presidential election was only days away, and the town square was alive with campaign posters, banners, and debates. Every diner, every coffee shop, and every porch seemed to be filled with conversations about who would lead the country next.

Among the many residents of Maplewood was a man named Jack, a middle-aged mechanic who had lived in the town his entire life. Jack had never been very political. He’d always considered himself too busy with work and raising his two kids to get involved. But this election felt different. The stakes seemed higher, and the issues more personal. The future of healthcare, the economy, and even the environment—topics that had always felt distant—were now front and centre in his mind.

Jack wasn’t the only one feeling this way. His teenage daughter, Emily, had recently turned eighteen and would be voting for the first time. She was passionate about climate change and education, constantly researching candidates and sharing articles with her father. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and Jack found himself reading more and more about the policies, trying to form his own opinion.

One night, as they sat around the dinner table, Emily asked Jack, “Who are you voting for, Dad?”

Jack hesitated. “I’m not sure yet. There’s so much to consider.”

Emily smiled, “That’s a good start. But you should decide soon. It’s important.”

The conversation stuck with Jack. He realised that voting wasn’t just about him anymore. It was about the future his daughter and son would inherit. The thought weighed heavily on him as Election Day approached.

On the day of the election, the town felt electric. People lined up outside the community centre to cast their votes. Jack arrived with Emily at his side, standing in line as she eagerly chatted about the process. For her, it was an exciting milestone, but for Jack, it was something more—a realisation of his responsibility as a citizen.

When it was finally Jack’s turn to step into the voting booth, he took a deep breath. The paper ballot in his hand suddenly felt heavy, not just with ink, but with meaning. He knew that his vote, one among millions, would be part of shaping the country’s future. It wasn’t just about a single candidate or party; it was about values, choices, and the world he wanted to leave for his children.

Jack made his choices carefully, one by one. When he stepped out of the booth and met Emily’s eyes, he smiled. It wasn’t a grand, dramatic moment—just a simple act of civic duty. But to Jack, it felt like a promise: to be more engaged, to care more deeply, and to make his voice heard.

That evening, the town gathered in homes and public places to watch the election results come in. Maplewood, like the rest of the country, waited in suspense as the map lit up with red and blue. No one knew for certain what the outcome would be, but for the first time in a long time, Jack felt proud. Not just for voting, but for being part of something larger—a democracy where every voice, including his, mattered.