::steps on the soapbox::

[offbalance]

Growing up, my parents instilled a few facts as absolutes. Among those things (outside of general politeness and the golden rule) were a willingness to try new things (You didn't have to like them, but you did have to give them a fair chance, within reason, of course), to not let anyone talk down to you or push you around unfairly, and to vote in every.single.election. There was never such a thing as "just a primary" in my house growing up. Every first Tuesday in November found us at our local polling place. The people there knew my parents on sight, too. And when I was fairly little, I got to go in the booth with my mom or dad to see how it all worked. When I was in college, I voted absentee for four years. When I moved to the Slope, I made sure I was registered.

So, I voted today. There were more people working than voting, sadly, but I know that won't be the case next year for the big shiny election. But the little, non-sexy elections need our attention just as much, if not more. After all, these people could easily go on and become our choices for future elections. You never know. This year, the ballot was for Supreme Court Justices for NY State and some other Justice positions. Those seem pretty important to me, but you may disagree. Anyway, I'm happy to say that today I used the 19th amendment to my advantage.

Comments

They Don't Call It A Civic DUTY For Nothin'

[wendywoowho.livejournal.com]

Voting isn't a right, it's a responsibility.

Re: They Don't Call It A Civic DUTY For Nothin'

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Damn straight.

Re: They Don't Call It A Civic DUTY For Nothin'

[wendywoowho.livejournal.com]

I have never -- NEVER -- missed an election. One of the biggest fights I ever got into with Nick was when he DIDN'T vote.

[whtegrlwthehair.livejournal.com]

crap, i missed it AGAIN?!?!??!?

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Polls are open until 9!

[whtegrlwthehair.livejournal.com]

i still literally can't find my polling place. i walked around the whole area where it's supposed to be, and it must be invisible because i can't find it. in the dark and the rain probably won't help. when is the next election? i'll make sure to know where it is by then!

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Considering that the next election is a presidential primary, we absolutely must find it for you.

We shall plan. Keep the address in your wallet - and when you and I finally meet up to have dinner, we'll see about where it is. Do you have the address? Email it if you don't want to post it here.

[penmage.livejournal.com]

I also believe very strongly in voting. N, on the other hand, has never voted before. So we gave ourselves a homework assignment to research the candidates and issues in today’s election. It was surprisingly hard to find information—you’d think that stuff would be easy to find. But we found some things. I am really surprised at how little information was on the internet on the subject, though.

Now I am just sad because I heard on NPR that in New Jersey, they get to vote for stem cell research, and I thought I was going to get to vote for it, also. But I’m not—all we get to vote for is a water bill.

[teany.livejournal.com]

I usually vote every year, but not today. Aside from making sure I got to work on time to write about election stuff, I don't like the idea of voting for judges that are appointed by big party machines... I don't know why NY state continues to do that. I mean, I know politics are at play in regular judicial appointments, but I think it's more apparent when someone is nominated by a particular party. A judge should not be thinking of electoral politics when making decisions. Not to say that they do, but I don't like that hanging over things. And I don't think not voting will do anything about that, but since I don't know who these people are, I didn't think my uninformed decision would be of any help. Anyway, now I'll get off my soapbox, and prepare to go out and ask people about the shiny new optical scan machines that are replacing the creaky lever ones that NY is still using...