A Single Vote
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Matthew 22:21
“A Single Vote” is episode #47 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Phil Lollar, and originally aired on November 5, 1988.
Summary
Whit tells a story about the difference a single vote can make.
Plot
Horace Higgenbotham is running for president of the student body at Odyssey Elementary. Whit has let the candidates hold a rally at Whit's End. Thanks to some free ice cream, the kids are all there and are excited. But Connie is sick of the whole thing. She feels that one vote can't possibly make a difference. So Whit proceeds to prove her wrong.
Whit tells her and everyone listening about a man named Jamison Shoemaker, whose story ends in the territory of Texas during 1845. Territorial President Sam Houston waits anxiously for word on the vote for Texas statehood. Texas needs 36 congressional votes, and Houston is not certain they have them. Suddenly, a messenger bursts in to deliver the news: Texas has become the 28th state-by a margin of one vote, cast by Harrigan, a senator from Indiana.
This leads to the next phase of the story, which happened six years earlier in Indiana. The legislators had gathered in Indianapolis for an important vote to elect a senator. One of those legislators was a man named Madison Marsh. Marsh elicited advice from his advisors, then decided to cast his vote for Harrigan, who was confirmed as a senator - by Marsh's one vote!
All of this finally leads to Jamison Shoemaker. It's Election Day, 1837. Shoemaker is out plowing his field and nearly misses his chance to vote, rushing to town and casting his ballot just before the polls close. The ballots are counted, and the new representative to the Indiana state legislator is Madison Marsh. Shoemaker realizes that's the fellow he voted for - and Marsh won by that one vote!
One ordinary man with one ordinary vote was directly responsible for Texas becoming a state. As Whit tells us, it's all a part of our Maker's plan.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to vote?
- Read Matthew 22:21. In our country, who is the ruling authority?
- Name some other instances where one person made a big difference.
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| June Kendall | Connie Kendall |
Notes
- Trivia
- In the wraparound, Chris is talking to a statue of Abraham Lincoln. This is later referenced in #542: “Eggshells” when Connie says that the Lincoln statue "isn't much for conversation."
- Phil Lollar and Bob Luttrell teamed up to voice comedic poll-workers Jones and Thompson in this episode. About 6 months later, they reappear in #70: “The Return of Harley, Part 1” and #71: “The Return of Harley, Part 2” as a pair of goofy bootleggers. They are called Jones and Thompson in those episodes (remade as #255: “The Boy Who Cried 'Destructo!'”) and they are credited with those same names here for "A Single Vote".
- While plowing his field, Jamison Shoemaker can be heard singing the spiritual "I Am Bound for the Promised Land."
- There is currently a politician in Hillsborough County, Florida named Al Higginbotham.
- This episode was originally aired 3 days before the 1988 Presidential election.
Reviews
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Quotes
Horace Higgenbotham: Wow! If he were alive today, he'd be dead!
Chris Anthony: Y-you talked!
Lincoln Monument: I know. It's amazing what you can do on radio, isn't it?
Tom Riley: Well, for what it's worth, Horace, I'll back ya. I caught your speech a couple minutes ago and it sounded good—a real barn burner!
John Whittaker: Which is the second reason I don't believe it was coincidental.
Connie Kendall: And that is?
John Whittaker: I don't believe anything is coincidental.
Connie Kendall: You know, it amazes me how you can take any subject and relate it to God or the Bible.
John Whittaker: Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment.
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