Well, I did it. I voted early for the first time in memory.

We had to go the Randall County Courthouse Annex early because my wife and I will be unable to vote next Tuesday.

I’ll admit to a couple of things. One is that I didn’t vote on every one of the nine state constitutional amendment proposals or on every one of Amarillo’s 21 amendment to its municipal charter. I didn’t know enough about them to cast an intelligent vote, so I left those spots blank.

I also did support the multimillion-dollar Amarillo Recreational Center complex. I’ve concluded that Amarillo needs a first-class rec center to attract out-of-town business and to retain those activities here that otherwise might go to other communities. I like the fact that a citizens committee is beating the bushes to raise an estimated $6 million in an effort to keep our property tax bite a bit lower. That’s good stewardship of our public money.

The other thing I’ll admit to is that I still prefer voting on Election Day.

There remains a certain sort of pageantry associated with voting. I like the notion of standing in line, kibitzing with fellow voters. I like the anticipation of waiting for a voting booth to open so I can perform my civic duty.

I keep thinking of the enormous lines I saw in South Africa in 1994 when black citizens there were voting for the first time in their lives. They waited for many, many hours in lines that stretched as far as anyone could see. They chose Nelson Mandela to lead their country as their first black president.

That’s too much, of course, to ask in a country such as ours that takes voting for granted.

Waiting in some semblance of a line on Election Day, however, remains my preference in performing this basic rite of citizenship.

If you haven’t voted already, be sure to vote next Tuesday.