My faith in America has always been unshakable. But I must admit that I have found the rancorous nature of our politics in this election season, and the media coverage of it, quite depressing. The whole of this year has felt as if our nation is on the verge of another civil war. In times like these, it is always helpful to have some experience that is invigorating. Voting yesterday did that for me.

Of the seven hotly contested battleground states in this presidential election cycle, pundits had consistently said that none was more important than Pennsylvania, my home state. It felt as though the Harris and Trump campaigns had set up residency here. Nearly every day, at least one of them held an event somewhere in the state. On election eve, both former President Trump and Vice President Harris were in my area, visiting Reading, next door to the small town of Wyomissing, where I live.

There had been assortments of Democratic and Republican signs on front lawns everywhere in Wyomissing in the last couple of months. That has been the case for all the previous national and local elections that have occurred over the twenty-one years that I have lived here. Given the particularly high stakes this year, it would have been natural to feel some tension in the local environment. But everything remained as calm as it has always been. It wasn’t until I arrived at the voting precinct yesterday afternoon however, that I was deeply moved by the atmosphere I found there.

Because of the many stories that had circulated in the national media about potential violence and threats to poll workers, and the need for law enforcement presence at precincts in some parts of the country, I had a feeling that things might be a bit different this time at my voting place. Upon arrival, I was quite pleasantly surprised to see the same open, relaxed setting that I am used to. There were no barricades fortifying the building, and no security presence. There was also no hint that anyone there had any fear about something going awry. Inside the voting room, I was met with the normal courteous smiles, and in less than ten minutes I finished casting my ballot. I thanked the men and women there for their service on my way out.

As I made the short drive back home, I was struck by how much the pleasant experience I had at the precinct differed from the negativity that we have all been bombarded with for much of this year. I do not doubt that those stories about threats of violence are real. There are indeed extremists who are determined to burn things down if they don’t get their way. And the dangers they pose to our political system and public safety need to be confronted and eliminated. But I also strongly believe that in the vast majority of places in America, the political atmosphere is quite similar to what I experience here in Wyomissing.

I was reminded yesterday that most people in this country get along well with their neighbors, and want the best for their nation. It also dawned on me that we need to spend more time highlighting our positive experiences and using them to counter the toxicity that is constantly souring the national mood these days. Shining those bright lights is the only way we can get rid of the dark forces. There is a lot of beauty in America that we should appreciate and work hard to preserve.