By Andy Tarnoff Publisher Published Nov 04, 2008 at 12:09 PM

I really enjoy voting. I know that my individual vote is insignificant, and even had I been a Floridian in 2000, it wouldn't have mattered. But unlike jury duty, mowing the lawn on the other side of the sidewalk or plugging parking meters, voting is the one civic duty that still fires me up.

This morning's trip to the polls was faster than I expected. I waited until 9 a.m. to show up at the South Shore Pavilion, and my total wait lasted no more than 25 minutes. As I left, however, the line had started to stretch outside the building. I guess I got lucky.

I enjoy seeing a community coming together to chart the nation's future. I only recognized a few people, but I was heartened by watching neighbors greet each other in line. I admire the unpaid election workers who selflessly put in a long day. I respect that passionate voters aren't acting violent or intimidating or obnoxious. All that is water under the bridge now; today is the day for casting our votes.

Of course, the real fun begins when the first polls start closing. Some Eastern states will wrap up at 6 p.m. our time, and then it's just a matter of time before the networks start projecting winners. Since 2004, we've watched the polls close with our friends Pat and Holly, and tonight will be no different.

We're bringing the champagne, Pat's making the fondue. And we'll watch. And wait. And cheer. And groan.

I'm heartened that so many Americans involved themselves in this election, and no matter who takes the prize, when our citizens vote, every wins. Happy election day, Milwaukee.

Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.

Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.

Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.