Will you vote?

If I was 18, I'd vote for Kerry.

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I am voting

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I've voted in every single election since 1984. To me it's a moral obligation -- people died to give me the right, so who am I not to take a few minutes (or hours) out of my day once every two years to exercise such a crucial and important duty of citizenship?

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Now, admittedly I've only been qualified for a bit over a year, but I've voted in every possible election. I watched my parents wait for 10 years, jump through a million administrative hoops, deal with rude INS employees, and take a slightly insulting citizenship test in order to get the right to vote. I'm not going to take it for granted.

I'm voting this year for the first time. What a great first year, too! Provided, that is, that I'm registered. I sent in the form weeks ago, but when I called they told me that they weren't registering the "kids", he said, who were turning 18 before the election until after the cut off deadline. Something about computers, I dunno. Stupid if you ask me. They should register when they get the forms because I haven't received a voter notification card or any official election mail or a pamphlet on the props and who's running or anything.

Israel. A lovely country, but one that really makes me treasure what I have here. I really crack up when people talk about all the danger we're in here, protected by two oceans and physically large but relatively powerless neighbors.

Besides the absentee ballots, how are people getting to vote early?

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Of all elections NOT to vote...this is the WRONG one. Anyone who is old enough should be out there. There are many elections where the choices are about equal and neither will make that much difference. On SO many levels...this is NOT that election. The economy, health care, social security, college tuition offsets, right to choose, gay marriage, world peace vs military might, outsourcing...you name it. Four more years of what we have now and we can write off the constitution and our alliances with other countries as well as our economic viability (having gone from billions in surplus to trillions in debt over the past four years...imagine the debt we'll have to pay off in four MORE years...I can't count that high)

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If your registration did not go through in time, show up at your polling place with your ID in hand...they will allow you to vote there and register you at the same time.

Here's some info and links to state sites for specifics, in case you need it.

More Frequently Asked Questions

When do I vote?
Most state polling places open between 6AM and 8AM and close between 6PM and 9PM. To find out your state's times, check this list: Polling Hours by State

Do I need to bring identification?
In some states, yes, so it's a good idea to do so just in case. You should bring your driver's license, or a paycheck, utility bill or government document that includes your name and street address. All first-time voters who register by mail are required to show ID.

What if I have ID problems? Can I still vote?
Yes. You should be able to cast a provisional, interim or conditional ballot. Note: Be sure to cast your provisional ballot at the polling station where you are registered to vote, as some states will not count it otherwise. Be sure to fill out the enclosing envelope completely, as well, or it may not be counted.

What if I make a mistake?
If you make a mistake while voting with a manual or paper voting method, ask a poll worker for a new ballot. If you are using a lever or computerized system, you can correct a mistake before you have finished.

If you have any kind of problem that you need assistance with, it's best to flag down a worker from your voting booth or table rather than leaving your spot.

What if I Have More Questions?
Visit your state's elections Web site for further information. State Election Web Sites

Source: League of Women Voters


11/1/2004

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I'm bringing at least 3 or 4 forms of ID just in case, including student ID, voter registration card, passport, and Social Security card. Make sure your IDs are either national or from the state you're voting in. Out-of-state driver's license = BAD.

Make sure you know where your polling place is. And if you know you're registered and you're in the right place, don't let yourself be bullied or harassed. It's quite likely that organizations from both parties will have lawyers or other trained workers around to help you out, especially if you live in a swing state.

In some states, including PA, you can ask the poll workers to call and see if you're on the computerized voter rolls. Some people may not be registered but not on those rolls, but at least if you're found there you can vote normally instead of having to ask for a provisional ballot.

Count on a 2 hour wait, at least. I've heard of waits of nearly 3 hours just for early voting, so if your state does all its voting on one day, it could be much worse. (I don't even want to contemplate that. Oy.)

And always, always, ask for a provisional ballot if things don't work out. You can't be denied that.

Updated On: 11/1/04 at 06:22 PM

Most people who don't vote aren't thinking of others- they're thinking of themselves only. American individualism at its worst manifests itself in these attitudes of "Why should I?" and "What's in it for me?"

Voting isn't just about you. It's about you as part of a larger body of citizens. And the act of voting itself is only as important as the acts that lead up to it- the research and political involvement that are natural offshoots of voting make you a better citizen. Democratized forms of government are some of the only ones, I think, that actually make their citizens better people.

Pfft. Try being from New Jersey. :P