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.
