I had voted for John Kerry four years ago as a college student. I remember paying a little bit of attention to the debates and trying my best (at the time) to make what I thought was the right decision... I wish more people had agreed with my presidential pick. Oh well.
This election I watched every debate. If I missed it, I would watch it on youtube. I was one of those "undecideds". Initially I thought for sure I'd vote for the Democratic nominee (whoever that turned out to be). As the candidates were chosen, I felt sure I would be voting for "change [I] can believe in." As time passed however, my surety started to erode. I don't care to go into any detail about the reasons why, as I don't really care to hear anyone else's opinions or rebuttals on the matters.
Election day finally arrived. I was still bummed that I couldn't vote but I'd already gotten over most of the disappointment. However, as my students repeatedly asked me who I was voting for, I felt like a total fraud. Here I am, educating and setting the example for our country's future voters- and I'm not voting. I slyly maneuvered my way out of their interrogation by shifting the focus to who they would vote for.
I had the class close their eyes. Then by show of hands they indicated their choice for president. Obama won by a landslide. I did not reveal the results of our impromptu election. However we did discuss the pros and cons that each candidate had.
Pros for Obama: He is a nice guy. He cares about people. He doesn't do drugs. (???)
Cons for Obama: He is not a nice guy. He hangs out with evil people.
Pros for McCain: He cares about people. He is a nice guy. He is a hero.
Cons for McCain: He only cares about rich people. He wants to have a war forever.
(It was so interesting to hear how these 9 year olds digest the information they hear from their parents)
Well I ended our little discussion by threatening them. :) I pointed out to them that during our talk about pros and cons each of them prefaced their opinions by saying "Well I've heard that..." I told them that if I ever run into them when I'm an old lady and they are voting based on who their friends are voting for, I would whack them on the head. They enjoyed that. Not to mention, when I said the part about me being a little old lady they said "eww". I don't know how I feel about that.
Anyway I finally made it home. I turned on the t.v. Oprah was on. She was doing a pre-election special. The part that I saw featured several new citizens of the U.S. talking about what a tremendous feeling it was to be able to vote for the first time ever in their lives. It went on and on, and as it did I felt worse and worse about not being able to have a say in the election.
If there is one thing I've learned in life, it's that when you are feeling bad, work to see if you can change what is making you feel bad. So I got online and went to the county voter's registration site. Then I made a phone call to the office (only 20mins before they closed for the day.) I explained how I had voted in Travis county four years ago but that since then I lived in a different house with a new name. She informed me that all I had to do was take proof of my name change to the precinct I had voted in last time. What?? Are you telling me I CAN actually vote? I jumped in the car and went on my way. When I got there- an hour and a half before the polls were to close- they didn't even ask to see my name change documents. I was so glad that I had double checked my ability to vote!
And I'm pretty sure that the guy I voted for doesn't do drugs either. :)
2 comments:
Oh, Janae! I wished we could have talked before you missed the chance to vote.
Although the laws may chance a little from state to state, I suspect they are not that much different. In Utah, although you were not registered, if you had gone to the correct voting location, you could have voted what is called a provisional ballot. And if you had gone to the wrong location, we would have helped you find your correct location.
You would have voted what is called a provisional ballot. What happens when you vote a provisional ballot is, if your information checks out, your vote is counted. Additionally, you would have been registered for the next election. If things are amiss in your affidavit, then the vote doesn’t count.
For your vote to be counted, you would have needed photo ID. And proof of address. That proof of address is anything that gives your name and address—it could be an utility bill, a speeding ticket (yes! One guy gave us just that to as it had his name and address on it!), or a coupon from Bed, Bath and Beyond (we accepted just that last Tuesday.)
So next time, call your county clerks office or just show up at a polling location. Everyone who worked the polls does so with the idea of giving everyone the right to vote. (Or at least the workers at my location!)
And thanks so much for stressing that we need to study and know for ourselves what our candidate stands for. Listening to someone else without checking out the facts, or only listening to blips on the tv or radio is not good information. And then, even if you vote against who I think is the best candidate, I want you to vote.
I hope things are good for you. We love you!
Whoops! I didn't see the writing under the photo! Glad you got to vote!
Post a Comment