The Most Important Thing I'll Do This Year
If you're an American, then today is Election Day. If you do nothing else, please get out and vote.
- Find your polling place
- Check out the voting myths and make sure you and people you know don't fall for them.
- Report any problems you have at your polling place. You can also call 1-877-US-4-OBAMA (1-877-874-6226).
- Videotape any problems and upload to Video the Vote. A democracy is only as strong as our ability to vote without impediment.
- Check your state's voter identification laws and be sure to bring the proper ID with you to the polling place. Also be sure that you know when your local polls close.
- Stay in line! Remember, if you're in line when the polls close, you still have the right to vote.
- Verify your vote--If you're using an electronic machine, double check to make sure that you've selected your Presidential candidate before you submit your vote. If you get a paper record, verify that it has correctly registered your vote.
- Remind everyone you know to get out and VOTE!
We have a serious opportunity to make some serious changes in the direction of our country today.
"We can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo, we can come together as one nation and one people and once more choose our better history."
The only regret I have in my life is not being a poll watcher when I was living in Costa Rica. I was living there when a presidential election came up. I was in the process of renewing my visa, so I was nervous about being a poll watcher (I later found out it would not have been a problem).
In Costa Rica (a small country population wise) most people returned to their home town to vote. No drinking was allowed and all bars were closed and taped up by officials. I was asked by a number of people if I wanted to go to the polls with them as they voted. This was in the late 1980's/1990's and Costa Rica was one of the only countries in Central America with a record of elections. People were proud to go vote, bringing guests to watch the process.
I wonder how many Americans invite foreigners to come with them to the polling place so they can watch them vote, watch democracy in progress. The feeling of excitement and the privilege to vote has stuck with me. Before that experience, I looked at voting as a duty that I had to get through. After, I realized how easy it would be to take that "privilege" away. It is especially true of women. If we remember that many of our grandmothers and great grandmothers were denied the right to vote. There is no excuse not to vote in EVERY ELECTION, local, state, or national.
Posted by: Virginia Yonkers | November 04, 2008 at 02:36 PM
I've never been more annoyed that I can't vote in this country. Only 3 more years until I can be a dual citizen!
Posted by: Emma King | November 04, 2008 at 03:54 PM
What a great story and a great point, Virginia. You are so right that it's a privilege for us to vote that we should exercise every chance we get. And Emma, I feel you. Hopefully you'll be able to help us re-elect President Obama. :-)
Posted by: Michele Martin | November 05, 2008 at 06:52 AM