Hello Friends.
People are taking part in something which generations of some families have not seen. No, I’m not talking about the festivities surrounding the recent (and incredible) Red Sox World Series win, but the national elections taking place tomorrow (November 2nd). Our form of democracy is a tradition that makes us distinctly American and one that is the envy of some.
In the past few weeks, I have received e-mails “preaching” and “lecturing” me as to who to vote for or what is right and or wrong with the world today. Instead, all I want to say is that regardless of your political affiliations (or lack thereof) get out tomorrow and vote. The close election of 2000 is a good example of how your vote does count and today is no exception.
Not sure who to vote for? As easy as it could be for me to say, “vote for so and so,” this message is not my place to do so. Instead, I urge you to instead ask yourself these questions, make a decision based on how you feel, and go to the polls. Am I better off now than I was in 2000? What is our role and place in the world? Is America what I think it should be? What can I do to make a difference?
Eight years ago, I was with my Dad during the Primary Election and I recall asking him who he voted for.
“I haven’t. It makes no difference since my choice won’t win.”
“Well, he may not, but at least you did what you could to help him win. Besides, you grumble about taxes and this is one of the rights that you get for being a taxpayer and a citizen.”
“You’re right. I’ve got nothing to lose.”
And with that, we drove to the town hall and he voted for his choice. Though I did not necessarily agree with his selection and even though his candidate finished fourth, I respected his decision and the fact that he went and voted. Since then he has always made sure to go to the polls (and once in a while we do vote for the same person!).
So if you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green Party, Socialist, or Independent, I respect your opinion and hope that you will join me by voting tomorrow because first and foremost we are American citizens and our country needs us now more than ever to get involved by voting.
Below, please find “A Quick Guide to Avoiding Problems at the Polls” to aid you in voting.
Thanks and THINK SNOW!
Trailboss :wink:
A QUICK GUIDE TO AVOIDING PROBLEMS AT THE POLLS
Before you go to the polls:
• Find your correct polling place. Click here: http://www.mypollingplace.com. They are getting crushed with requests, so if you don't get through right away, try again later or just call your local Board of Elections.
• To avoid confusion and save time, study the ballot. Check your local newspaper for a copy.
• Find a form of identification to bring to the polls. Unless you are a first-time voter who registered by mail without sending identification, you have the right to vote without providing ID. However, to avoid hassles just bring ID anyway. A government-issued ID is best (such as a driver's license), but you can also bring a utility bill, paycheck stub, phone bill, or similar papers with your name on them. If your ID does not have a signature, bring two forms of identification.
• Allow plenty of time to vote, preferably in the morning. There may be lines. Bring something to read. If the line is really long, consider getting a box of donuts or cookies to share to lighten the mood. Someone might be challenging voters just to slow things up in the hope that long lines will scare away voters. If this is happening, let folks in line know so it stiffens their resolve to stay and cast vote.
• Learn your voting rights:
o Even if you are not on the voter list, federal law gives you the right to a "provisional ballot." Insist on one and vote. A regular ballot is preferable, so you should do whatever you can to get a regular ballot first, like going home and getting a second form of identification or going to the polling place where you are definitely on the voter list. But rather than be turned away, demand a provisional ballot.
o You have the right to vote if you are in line when the polls close. Stay in line until you vote.
o Find out if your employer will give you time off to vote, if necessary.
At the polls:
• If you are confused about ANYTHING or feel you are being harassed, ask the official poll workers to help. Do not rely on fellow citizens for advice about the ballot, how the voting machines work, or why you are not on the rolls. If someone is challenging your right to vote, ask the poll workers to intervene.
• If someone harasses you, don't cause a ruckus. Just ignore the harasser, report it to a poll worker, and let the voting process continue. What kinds of things might somebody try? Well, in the past people have insisted on more ID than is required or argued that someone is at the wrong polling place.
• If something goes wrong, document it. Write down what happened, when, and descriptions of the people involved, including their names, if you can get them. If you have a camera or camera-phone, take pictures.
• Report voting problems to an organization ready to respond to problems at the polls:
o Common Cause: Call 1-866-MYVOTE1. This is a hotline you can call to report any voting problems.
o 1-866-OUR-VOTE. This hotline has been set up by a coalition of nonpartisan groups to deal with the most serious problems on Election Day. They have hundreds of lawyers standing by to immediately respond to the most egregious problems. 1-866-OUR-VOTE is the "911" of voter suppression hotlines. Please don't call unless your problem is serious enough that you have to talk to a lawyer immediately.
• Contact the media. If something is going terribly wrong at a polling site and you have reported it to the folks above, you might want to then call local radio, television, and newspaper reporters. Often problems clear up quickly after a reporter arrives.
It's odd that it's come to this. But given how hard Americans have fought for the freedom to pick our government, it ought to take a lot more than these inconveniences and ham-handed attempts by desperate political operatives to dissuade us from casting a ballot. See you at the polls.
People are taking part in something which generations of some families have not seen. No, I’m not talking about the festivities surrounding the recent (and incredible) Red Sox World Series win, but the national elections taking place tomorrow (November 2nd). Our form of democracy is a tradition that makes us distinctly American and one that is the envy of some.
In the past few weeks, I have received e-mails “preaching” and “lecturing” me as to who to vote for or what is right and or wrong with the world today. Instead, all I want to say is that regardless of your political affiliations (or lack thereof) get out tomorrow and vote. The close election of 2000 is a good example of how your vote does count and today is no exception.
Not sure who to vote for? As easy as it could be for me to say, “vote for so and so,” this message is not my place to do so. Instead, I urge you to instead ask yourself these questions, make a decision based on how you feel, and go to the polls. Am I better off now than I was in 2000? What is our role and place in the world? Is America what I think it should be? What can I do to make a difference?
Eight years ago, I was with my Dad during the Primary Election and I recall asking him who he voted for.
“I haven’t. It makes no difference since my choice won’t win.”
“Well, he may not, but at least you did what you could to help him win. Besides, you grumble about taxes and this is one of the rights that you get for being a taxpayer and a citizen.”
“You’re right. I’ve got nothing to lose.”
And with that, we drove to the town hall and he voted for his choice. Though I did not necessarily agree with his selection and even though his candidate finished fourth, I respected his decision and the fact that he went and voted. Since then he has always made sure to go to the polls (and once in a while we do vote for the same person!).
So if you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green Party, Socialist, or Independent, I respect your opinion and hope that you will join me by voting tomorrow because first and foremost we are American citizens and our country needs us now more than ever to get involved by voting.
Below, please find “A Quick Guide to Avoiding Problems at the Polls” to aid you in voting.
Thanks and THINK SNOW!
Trailboss :wink:
A QUICK GUIDE TO AVOIDING PROBLEMS AT THE POLLS
Before you go to the polls:
• Find your correct polling place. Click here: http://www.mypollingplace.com. They are getting crushed with requests, so if you don't get through right away, try again later or just call your local Board of Elections.
• To avoid confusion and save time, study the ballot. Check your local newspaper for a copy.
• Find a form of identification to bring to the polls. Unless you are a first-time voter who registered by mail without sending identification, you have the right to vote without providing ID. However, to avoid hassles just bring ID anyway. A government-issued ID is best (such as a driver's license), but you can also bring a utility bill, paycheck stub, phone bill, or similar papers with your name on them. If your ID does not have a signature, bring two forms of identification.
• Allow plenty of time to vote, preferably in the morning. There may be lines. Bring something to read. If the line is really long, consider getting a box of donuts or cookies to share to lighten the mood. Someone might be challenging voters just to slow things up in the hope that long lines will scare away voters. If this is happening, let folks in line know so it stiffens their resolve to stay and cast vote.
• Learn your voting rights:
o Even if you are not on the voter list, federal law gives you the right to a "provisional ballot." Insist on one and vote. A regular ballot is preferable, so you should do whatever you can to get a regular ballot first, like going home and getting a second form of identification or going to the polling place where you are definitely on the voter list. But rather than be turned away, demand a provisional ballot.
o You have the right to vote if you are in line when the polls close. Stay in line until you vote.
o Find out if your employer will give you time off to vote, if necessary.
At the polls:
• If you are confused about ANYTHING or feel you are being harassed, ask the official poll workers to help. Do not rely on fellow citizens for advice about the ballot, how the voting machines work, or why you are not on the rolls. If someone is challenging your right to vote, ask the poll workers to intervene.
• If someone harasses you, don't cause a ruckus. Just ignore the harasser, report it to a poll worker, and let the voting process continue. What kinds of things might somebody try? Well, in the past people have insisted on more ID than is required or argued that someone is at the wrong polling place.
• If something goes wrong, document it. Write down what happened, when, and descriptions of the people involved, including their names, if you can get them. If you have a camera or camera-phone, take pictures.
• Report voting problems to an organization ready to respond to problems at the polls:
o Common Cause: Call 1-866-MYVOTE1. This is a hotline you can call to report any voting problems.
o 1-866-OUR-VOTE. This hotline has been set up by a coalition of nonpartisan groups to deal with the most serious problems on Election Day. They have hundreds of lawyers standing by to immediately respond to the most egregious problems. 1-866-OUR-VOTE is the "911" of voter suppression hotlines. Please don't call unless your problem is serious enough that you have to talk to a lawyer immediately.
• Contact the media. If something is going terribly wrong at a polling site and you have reported it to the folks above, you might want to then call local radio, television, and newspaper reporters. Often problems clear up quickly after a reporter arrives.
It's odd that it's come to this. But given how hard Americans have fought for the freedom to pick our government, it ought to take a lot more than these inconveniences and ham-handed attempts by desperate political operatives to dissuade us from casting a ballot. See you at the polls.
