Allow me to get
political for a moment.
Today is Super Tuesday.
If you live in one of these states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah,
Vermont, or Virginia, then your primary is being held today. Our primary in SC
happened this past Saturday.
Of course, if your primary is today, you know that
already. It’s been mentioned in the news about fifty-seven million times. And
you may have noticed a political commercial or two. Zillion. It can be
overwhelming, and if you’re like me, you’ll be glad when it’s all over and
things settle down for a few months.
Still, if there’s a primary for your party, I hope
you’ll take the time to vote. I tend to be a political person, and, when
canvasing for the candidate I liked, I knocked on doors and said, “I hope
you’ll vote in the primary. I’d like to share my opinion about MY candidate,
but even if you’re not voting for them, I hope you’ll go to the poll and cast
your ballot.”
Voting is the only real way we have a voice in how
our government is run. Sure, we can express our opinions on social media, and
write letters to our lawmakers (I’m pen pals with plenty of them!) but
honestly, those actions have little influence. My real voice is my ballot.
The
primary is the first step. The election in November, is the second, most
crucial one.
My friend has adult children—intelligent,
professional people—who don’t vote. Why, I often wonder. Do they feel there’s
no point? That the decision has already been made so why bother? Do they not
care? Do they think all politicians are evil, so it doesn’t matter who’s in
charge? How many in their generation feel the same way?
Maybe it’s too inconvenient? I know the current
election may involve long lines at polling places. I hope it does, because it
means people are INVOLVED. Here is my advice to make your election day go as
smoothly as possible:
1) Don't arrive hungry. Eat
a good meal before braving the line.
2) Pick a time that isn’t
the busiest. Mid-morning might work, if your job allows it.
3) Make sure you have the
right ID. Nothing worse than arriving to vote and realizing you can’t!
4) Do prep work: read what’s
on the ballot before you get there, especially if there are long, confusing propositions. Visit vote411.org for info on your specific election.
5) If you know you’ll be
there a long time, BRING A BOOK AND A CAMP CHAIR. I did that last time. I could
use the chair up until I reached the actual voting area. You might read Love
in the Lowcountry or Mid-Century Murder, collections that
feature stories by our favorite bloggers
6) Remember that you don’t
have to vote on everything. If there’s a commissioner of agriculture election and
you know nothing about the candidates, SKIP that part. If you don’t give a rip
about the referendum on homestead municipal property taxes, move on. It’s OKAY
to do that.
In
writing, we talk a lot about VOICE, how it’s the unique aspect of your writing
and can be crucial to the success of your project.
Whether
you’re a writer or not, voting is YOUR VOICE. This is a critical year for our
country. The stakes are high, and you deserve to have a say in how things turn
out. So please, please, vote in the primary, and then vote in November. Let
your voice be heard.
Paid
for by CarlaDamronBelievesinVoting.
My
name is Carla Damron and I approve this message.
Well said, Carla. These days there are even options to encourage voting. In many states, a trip to the polls is not required, merely a trip to the Internet or the post box. No excuses, folks - let your voice be heard.
ReplyDeleteI'm not in a Super Tuesday state, but I'll definitely vote. Thankfully, out here in the country, there is never a line at the polling place.
ReplyDeleteI'm heartbroken by the frustrated folks who won't vote because they feel it doesn't matter. Whether their argument is "political corruption" or "the system is broken," NOT voting surely won't fix it.
And as my dad always said, "if you don't vote, you aren't allowed to complain about politics."
Exactly, Kait and Annette. It's not hard. It IS important. So go to the polls!
ReplyDeleteWe live in a village of 3000 and vote in the big gym at the community center. Never a line, and the poll watchers all use the fitness center next door so we all know each other.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Annette's dad: if you don't vote, you can't complain about the outcome.
Ohio votes on St Patrick's Day.
The library where I worked was also a polling place. I loved seeing the long lines (Only in presidential elections, alas) and the dedication of the poll volunteers. There are good folks out there!
ReplyDeleteAs to your question about young people and voting, I know many who are very involved, but they're not the majority. If all voting took place online, maybe more would participate? For me, going to the polls and seeing our democratic process at work always makes me feel good.
I'm Shari Randall and I approve Carla Damron's message.
Well said, Carla. My husband and I are leaving in just a few minutes to vote in Virginia.
ReplyDeleteWE didn't have a line either, Margaret. And Shari, we should make voting as easy as possible. Grace, I hope you are happy with the election results!!
ReplyDeleteWe seldom have a line, either. And the people who man the polling place always bring goodies for everybody.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm all in favor of making voting as easy as possible, I fear that things like on-line voting would be too open to hacking, either for pranks or for political advantage. There have even been verified stories of machine balloting where what the person votes is changed if they are not super-careful.
Not our primary day, but I'm watching for the results from other places.
As reported by Stanford Medical, It's really the one and ONLY reason this country's women live 10 years longer and weigh an average of 42 pounds lighter than us.
ReplyDelete(Just so you know, it is not about genetics or some secret diet and really, EVERYTHING related to "how" they eat.)
BTW, I said "HOW", not "WHAT"...
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