Signs are appearing on many lawns, even in places with no lawns.
Here, in Oregon, we already have our ballots. We vote by mail and we, hubby and I, and our daughter and her hubby in the next county, have attended debates and fundraisers, rallies and presentations. We are ready to cast our votes today.
The actual deadline is not until November 2nd. But why wait?
The choices are clear for us.
Do people actually wait until Nov. 2nd to make up their minds? Do people actually study issues and listen to debates?
How do people really choose?
I do know that even my youngest child is ready to vote.
I guess we must have done something right as parents.
Do vote.
Even if you are disgusted with the choices. Make a choice.
Don't let others steal our right!
44 comments:
I love the convenience of our vote by mail system, but I miss walking into an elementary school gymnasium and the ritual process of signing in, closing the curtain on the voting booth, voting and handing my ballot to a real person. Knowing it will be counted. Not that I don't trust the USPS....
Our town has a white box by City Hall, available to drop off the ballots. No stamps, no deadline to watch carefully, just a walk to the white ballot box, a drop of the ballot as late at 8:00p.m on Nov. 2nd. We do miss the buzz of getting in line, whispering to a neighbor, cup in hand, children in tow, and the feeling of having done our duty at the end of it all. Just like Monkey Man says, those things are missed; but the convenience of voting by mail trumps everything else.
Exactly!!!
Voting is a freedom we should never take for granted....even if you have to hold your nose while doing it;))
Happy weekend to you!
Always wise advice.. without exercising a vote, we remove our own reasonable right to complain or demand change.
Yes do Vote!
I can't stand to hear complaints from those who do not exercise their votes.
I have one daughter that is passionate about debates, issues, and cherishes her right, especially since she has only had this right for two years.
My husband will again be a greeter at the voting places.
we are a very fortunate nation to have the freedom we have to let our voices be heard in votes.
Prayers for all our leaders and those wanting to greater our nation, county by county, sity by city, state by state.
I agree 100%! i SOMETIMES have to remind my husband he was in service of our country 22+ years for this right.
He often feels it hopeless and then military people do vote but not always get ballots (a la Illinois,Florida) and there is no campiagning (which I would have liked).
For several years we have paper ballot voted early. We could have gone to courthouse -30mi round trip-- and saved postage ($2.10) doubt that is a saving.
Your really don't have to give reasons for wanted paper ballots anymore but we plead old age and climbing some humongous steps to the room where you vote.
We cancel each other's votes sometimes but but that is the American way...and wew don't fight over it either
The nearest my husband came to combat was the Cuban missile crisis. His ship saw the lights of Havana harbor before JFK aborted the mission without a shot being fired. Nevertheless he served with honor and 5 good gold conduct strips, plus a few medals and ribbons as a petty officer 1st class and really did retire with a true career..
amen. vote. or shut your trap. (not directed at you rosaria) i will be heading to the elementary school still...
My dh and I always vote, whether for city council or for President, we know our votes are important.
We vote in person at the polling place.
Very true! It reminds me of the old saying: if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Our right to vote is far to important to jeopordize. While I am often sadly disappointed in the candidates I choose, I still have to make my choice. I prefer to do it by mail, however. Especially when the weather is cold and rainy!!
Hubby and I used to take our daughter along on voting day, and I allowed her to punch the holes in my ballot (according to my direction, of course). She couldn't wait until she could vote on her own. I give thanks to God that we live in a free country.
I always vote and have taken my kids with me. they vote. Often I think it is an exercise in futility. No matter who wins, nothing really gets done.
How serendipitous! I JUST finished filling out my absentee ballot and decided to reward myself with blog reading! This is the first place I came.
I'm made my choices, vote and issue-wise, and now I'm at the point where I'm screwing with the pollsters.
Good advice. We always vote, even when the choices leaave a lot to be desired.
WELL Said!!!!!!
our ballots are here and will be mailed back soon
Aloha from Hawaii
Comfort Spiral
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We live in a place where it's still "walk to the school gym, put an X on the paper ballot, etc." I don't think I have ever missed.
We don't have elections as often as you do (ours tend to be four or five years apart, three for the city). But they're still too important to miss.
But the people and parties we get to choose; oh my! And the fact that nothing much really changes in the lives of ordinary people. (Except in this latest recession that started two years ago.)
Voting is like getting my teeth cleaned...hate to take the time out of the day to go, but it sure feels good when I leave. I agree with the other comments about not complaining if you don't exercise that right. I'm looking forward to voting because then all the political commercials will finally be done!
Voting is so easy anymore with so many options, there is no excuse.
I have only missed voting opportunity in 50 years and that was due to illness.
Those who don't vote, have no right to gripe.
Yep, we have 'em here too. That and politcal ads and phone calls! Be glad on Nov 3rd!! And yes, not thrilled with the choices but will vote. I guess it all cannot be fixed in a hurry like one would want but it all sure is a mess now. Someimtes I think I would run for the RIGHT reasons just to help change things for our children and grands...future!
This reminds me I have to fill out and mail my absentee ballot!
Baci
E xx
It's election season here too in our province - municipal. And we are a family who LOVES to exercise their democratic right to vote. I photographed each of my girls on their first vist to the polling booth. Monumental day in our family. I am proud to say that the very first ballot I cast was for my dad for mayor of our town. I feel sad for people who squander this hard won right to vote.
Very timely blog! We also use absentee vote by mail ballots and exercise our right to vote at every election opportunity. We also attend every chance we have to hear political speakers. We actually belong to no party and vote the issues. It is interesting to be with a group of "true believers" and hear their perspective seen through their window. If we are home, we drop our mail ballot in at the polling station and proudly wear the little "I Voted" sticker for the rest of the day. Life is complex these days and if we expect our elected legislators to legislate on our behalf, we have to let them know where we stand. Though I often wonder how much difference it makes, we also email our representatives...I am sure we are on "SOMEONE"S" list!! :-)
I have casted my early vote here in Florida. I can't complain, if I don't vote.
We have early voting here in Florida, and I may take advantage of it myself, although I live very near our polling place, and I've a flexible work schedule so I can show up to vote at anytime of the day.
Hold your nose and vote is the right way to think of any election. Our country is founded on the idea that we tell our government what to do. If we fail in our responsibility to do just that, then we will be told what to do, and we might not like that at all.
It is compulsory for us to vote, which is fortunate as otherwise with our laid back attitude (in general) nothing would be done.
Heck no, I don't wait. I've known for a long, long time.
I brought my mail-in ballot with me to Texas to fill out while I am on vacation because I forgot to get it done earlier. While I recognize the importance of voting and being informed on the issues, I am so tired of the ads and the phone calls...each side bashing the other with half truths and sometimes lies. Everytime the phone rings lately it has been a robocall. My husband is a registered Republican and I am a Democrat. Even though we cancel each other out (and I'm frequently tempted not to mail his ballot) we still religiously submit our ballots to the box at city hall.
We're ready for our walk over to our community center to cast our ballots. We like to do it in person because the voting managers will give us sticker badges that say we voted and coupons for free coffees at Starbucks. To celebrate the fact that we turned up to vote!
Cool, eh?
Always good to vote - at least you know you've had your say and can't complain about the outcome, as those who don't vote always seem to do...
Well said - whoever you vote for, always make sure you vote :) Sometimes I know well in advance which way I'm going to vote, but other times I decide very late... depends on the circumstances (but our system is a bit different to yours)
You are so right about voting! I always vote on election day, at the elementary school in our area. It's right around the corner, so it's very convenient.
You're so right, don't let anyone steal your vote! Good reminder.
good for you rosaria!
as we'll be out of town on election day my husband and i voted absentee ballot and we sent them to our kids as well.......got to exercise our rights under all circumstances!
Without the power to cast a vote you have no power at all. Not sure I ever like what, or rather who, I see on the ballot paper but our votes count.
Ugh. This is such a sore point for me. I have so many friends who complain and whine about the state of politics, and then I ask if they voted in the last election. They just stare at me.
Apathy sucks.
I always vote, and have since the first election after my 18th birthday! :)
I love, love, love your determination to go out and make a difference, even if we sit on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Do people realise that they have an opportunity that is denied to many others around the world? Thanks for such a passionate post.
Greetings from London.
My little town is peppered with signs, too. Excellent post.
Yes, people need to vote. To me, that is part of being a citizen. I remember people at work saying they loved this country and were patriotic, but did not vote...
Here we can vote early – we’ll vote tomorrow now that we are back in town (for a little while.)
Good for you! Well said..
Yes, please vote. It is nothing to take for granted. But, boy, am I tired of the campaigns.
My middle son and I are headed that way later today. We know who we're voting for. I don't understand the hesitation either.
I will never understand those who are "undecided" up to the last day. Sorry, but are they idiots? Do they not read, research and make a decision. The other thing I don't understand are those who do NOT vote.
I told the office folks, "bring me your stamped voter's registration and I will add three hours to your time card,,dont care who you vote for, just vote". It will be interesting to see who does,,It is important that we all have our own opionis and respect the other person even if we view differently. thanks, glenn
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