John Buttrick writes from his Vermont Folk Rocker in his Concord home, Minds Crossing. He can be reached at johndbuttrick@gmail.com

Can you envision an image of Halloween being the motivation to vote for the next U.S. president? It never occurred to me until I saw a pumpkin turned into a jack-o-lantern with a mouth shaped by the word, “VOTE.” Was it a Halloween joke, a threatening imperative, or perhaps a joyful reminder that the election was only days away?

We can easily accept that the harvested pumpkin is a sign of the end of the growing season and the glowing eyes, nose, and mouth of the jack-o-lantern as a sign of Halloween, lighting up the tenacious dark days of the winter season. Of course, one of the origins of Halloween is a harvest festival that includes preparation for the winter months.

It’s not a great leap to take “VOTE” from the mouth of that Halloween jack-o-lantern as a call to prepare for and participate in the United States democratic festival of voting for the next president. It is the time to watch a parade of political characters: goblins and ghouls; Christian nationalists, pranksters, visionaries, and super heroes. It is a time to evaluate a parade of lies and truths, coercions and pleadings; as well as imaginations, visions and promises of a more perfect union.

It is an anxious time, a conflicting time, a hopeful time, a spirited time. It is a time to joyfully jeer at the procession of floats carrying reconstituted skeletons from the past and it’s a time for lighthearted cheers for the floats bearing the memories of historic champions who may lead us into the future. Halloween brings out our best and our worst. However, at the end of it all, the jack-o-lantern persists in announcing the upcoming time to choose a candidate and vote.

On PBS news Weekend Edition, Judy Woodruff reported that people are exhausted by this year’s over-energized campaign effort that is insisting people choose sides in ways that create enemies – a contest of judgment, fear, and betrayal. Family members are turning against each other. Friends and neighbors are reluctant to express political opinions, anticipating hateful responses or destroyed relationships. Even many undecided registered voters fear revealing their reluctance to choose a side. There is the possibility that the only choice they will make is to not vote.

Adding to the quandary, no matter whether there are only a few votes or a record high number of votes, the election implies that we all must live with the results, even if the winner is not our choice. Given the stark divisive differences between the candidates, I must confess, this is the most challenging hurdle for me to jump over. If the election result is not my choice, it will be very difficult to call the winner, “my president” – the one whose values and aspirations for the country are the antithesis to my point of view.

I suspect that I’m not alone with my feelings. If the Republicans loose, many threaten to refuse to accept the results. Many seek an end to democracy to be replaced by a theocracy. If the Democrats loose, many will anticipate living in despair, fearing the end of democracy.

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However, in spite of it all, the spirit of that jack-o-lantern’s broad “V-O-T-E” smile insists, don’t give up: keep the passion for a more perfect union, but lighten up on each other. Judy Woodruff noted that her interviews with small groups of potential voters seemed to create a place where even the most obstreperous people were able to listen and talk with one another. They were able to overcome some of the mistrust of each other. This experience indicated there is a slight possibility that civility might overcome some of the mean-spirited attitudes flung between opponents. It may allow us to leave fear and anger behind when visiting the polling places.

Voting is very serious, but it can also be a joyful support for our fellow citizens and for democracy. Halloween will come and go. The polling places will open and close. Each vote will be one small stroke for a new president, one of many check marks for democracy. The reminder from the jack-o-lantern to VOTE is no joke and no threat. It is a joyful invitation to keep democracy healthy for future generations. A large voter turnout will overwhelm any anti-democracy movement. It will also keep our jack-o-lantern smiling.