Trial Magazine

“On Election Day 2008, I worked as an election specialist in St. Louis and spent the day troubleshooting problems to ensure that people weren’t turned away at the polls. One couple, who struggled to speak English fluently, were attempting to vote for the first time as U.S. citizens. Despite their difficulties communicating with the poll workers, we got them to the correct place, and they exercised their new civic right. It was an awesome feeling, and they even hugged me after they were done!”

Tiffany R. Ellis, Seikaly Stewart & Bennett, Farmington Hills, MI


“The most memorable election for me was the 2000 presidential election. I was 23 and didn’t fully understand the magnitude of politics at the time, but I excitedly cast my vote on Election Day. I remember rushing home from my serving job to meet friends at a bar—we stayed well beyond last call to continue watching the results, biting our nails, hoping Al Gore would be named victor before dawn. That was the first of many political experiences that impacted the person I am today.”

Tara Kirsten King, SWMW Law, St. Louis, MO


“My most memorable experience related to voting was when I first served as an election judge for the Democratic campaign in 2004. I remember feeling empowered that I knew how to help people solve their voting issues, and I felt like I’d done some good helping people exercise their right to vote. But my feeling of success was juxtaposed with a stinging feeling of regret that far too many people had cast provisional ballots that wouldn’t get counted. I left knowing we had work to do and that the battle for voting rights wasn’t over.”

Jackie Olinger Rochelle, Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, St. Louis, MO


“As parents, we spent a lot of time talking up the importance of voting to our children. 2016 was the first time my three oldest kids were all able to vote, and as it turned out, two were out of the country on Election Day. Our state imposes hurdles to the voting process, but without prompting, all three spent enormous amounts of time and effort making sure their votes were properly sent in and counted. How proud can you be of that!”

Michael P. Doyle, Doyle Trial Lawyers, Houston, TX


“I served as an election judge in Wisconsin in 2016. A woman came in and wanted to vote so badly, but she was homeless, didn’t have an ID, and didn’t know which precinct she should go to. She was upset and in tears. The man at the registration desk could not have been kinder, and he helped her get someone from her shelter who could vouch for her. It was a good reminder how important it is to vote—and how some people face additional hurdles to having their voices heard.”

Ashleigh Raso, Meshbesher & Spence, Minneapolis, MN


“In the 2014 midterm election, I witnessed multiple voters turned away for various reasons. For instance, at least 30 voters had been sent the wrong address for their voting precinct. They were then told to go to another incorrect location until they were finally directed to the correct place. Fortunately, the election protection group that I worked with was able to respond to the problem and help people cast their vote.”

Navan Ward Jr., Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, Atlanta, GA


“On Election Day in 1988, I was chair of an organization dedicated to defeating a proposed state constitutional amendment that would cap noneconomic damages for bodily injuries at $100,000. It was a 10-month battle with rallies, debates, court challenges, and more. The final push was organizing supporters to work the polls at every single voting location throughout the state. Two months before the election, we were down by 32 points; we prevailed by 17 points. It was an extraordinary effort by our state trial lawyers association. I’m still thrilled by it!”

John F. Romano, Romano Law Group, West Palm Beach, FL


“I had just turned 18 and voted for the first time in the November 1978 midterm election. I was amazed at the number of people on the ballot whom I had zero knowledge about. I decided then that if I wanted to be an informed voter, it was going to take work! I voted for George W. Bush for U.S. Congress that cycle, having watched him in a debate on oil and gas policy. He lost that one, but 35 years later, after his political comeback, he called to thank me for helping him sort through a legal issue, and I got to visit with him about losing that 1978 election in spite of my vote.”

Mark Lanier, The Lanier Law Firm, Houston, TX


“My most memorable voting experience was the 2008 presidential election when Barack Obama and John McCain were the candidates. I persuaded my husband—who normally votes after work—to go that morning, explaining that early morning voting was less crowded. When we arrived at our voting precinct, a small Baptist church, the lot was full, and there was no place to park. When we walked up, we saw a great crowd of people, which we were surprised to learn was the line of waiting voters. The line wrapped all the way around the church two and a half times. My husband commented, “I thought you said it would only take 10 minutes!” I’d never seen anything like it, and I dream of seeing it again.”

Vicki Slater, Vicki R. Slater, Attorney at Law, Madison, MS


“In 2003, the Texas legislature passed a constitutional amendment that allowed it to place a cap on noneconomic damages in personal injury cases. Our state trial lawyers association worked hard to fundraise and educate voters to reject this horrible amendment. We won the popular vote on election day but lost the early vote, and the constitutional amendment passed. We had a winning message but lacked the resources to cover early voting. Lesson learned: Early voting makes a big difference, and its importance gets bigger every year.”

John Eddie Williams Jr., Williams Kherkher, Houston, TX


“My first time voting will always be my most memorable. Less than two months after turning 18, I walked into my local polling place—surrounded by voters of different races, creeds, and ages—and easily marked my ballot. Being able to vote to change those in power and alter laws without fear of repercussion left a distinct impression. I was able to participate in a peaceful transition of power, and I thank God that I live in a republic that allows it.”

Andrew Brashier, Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, Montgomery, AL


“In 2008, I remember literally running to the polls to vote for Barack Obama. I remember the rush of emotions: overwhelming feelings of pride, possibility, and—most important—hope. I volunteered that entire day, making sure that voters—from senior citizens to college students—could get to the polls. I remember looking around at the array of faces. That day, it seemed as if everyone was working hand in hand.”

Natalie Blackman, The Law Office of Attorney Natalie Blackman, Baton Rouge, LA


“As a 17-year-old high school student, I was required to volunteer on Election Day at a polling location, assisting with setting up, voter check-in, and closing. Before even being old enough to vote, I was already exposed to how important it is to exercise my civic rights—as well as the practical difficulties that can get in the way of voting, from lack of identification to transportation challenges.”

Jennifer Myers, Miller Weisbrod, Dallas, TX