One Vote

So there I am scrutineering the counting of ballots. The poll clerks are counting the ballots: one vote for X, one vote for X, one vote for Y, one vote for X, one vote for W ... to the last ballot.

I look at a ballot and of course have no idea who cast that ballot. However, I wonder, what made that voter cast that ballot for that candidate?

Fascinating, I think. Was it an issue? Was it personal acquaintance? Was it a persona? Was it an accident? What made that voter express trust in that candidate?

Boy, if only every candidate could know the answer to that for each and every ballot cast in her or his favour! Would the candidate realize the voter didn't understand the candidate's position on an issue and voted in favour of something the candidate did not actually support but thought she or he did? Was the voter thinking that candidate was most likely to deliver a life experience that matched the voter's needs for quality of life?

It's sort of like going to work and getting paid either because you did great work that really helped your employer achieve her goal that day or getting paid even though you completely screwed up and actually blocked her ability to achieve the goal.

It would be useful to know what really took place. It would help the employer and the employee or alternatively, the voter and the candidate.

Votes seem so simple don't they.