Don't Forget to Vote

Next Tuesday, November 4^th is the Big Day.  Election Day. No matter which of the 6 (yes 6) presidential candidates you want to see leading this great country, it is imperative that YOU go to cast your vote.

Every vote counts.  I find it really irritating that the news channels will predict a winner with only 60, 50 sometimes 30% of the vote in.  It makes you wonder if your vote even matters. But remember there were 5 big decisions made in this country by only one vote:

-made English the language of America instead of German (1776)
-approved American independence from England (1776)
-gave Thomas Jefferson the presidency (1800)
-admitted Texas (1845) and California (1850) into the Union

So yes, your vote IS important.

If you will not be in town on November 4^th, you can vote absentee. There are other reasons for voting absentee.  Do any of these apply to you?

- You will be out of the county or the state, or the municipality for municipal elections, on election day.

- You have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents your attendance at the polls.

- You work a shift which has at least ten (10) hours that coincide with the polling hours at your regular polling place.

- You are enrolled as a student at an educational institution located outside the county of your personal residence, attendance at which prevents your attendance at the polls.

- You are a member of, or a spouse or dependent of a member of, the Armed Forces of the United States or are otherwise similarly qualified to vote absentee pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff.

 - You have been appointed as an election officer at a polling place which is not your regular polling place.

You have until this Thursday (October 30^th) to apply for an absentee ballot.  If you go to the office of your county's election manager (for a list click here), you can even go and vote right after you fill out the application. 

I mentioned the presidential election, but there are other candidates and issues on the ballot as well.  To see a copy of the ballot click here and look for the county in which you vote.  Knowing what you will see in the voting booth will help you prepare for those important decisions.

If you see something on the ballot that you are not sure about, you don't have to vote for that item in order for your presidential vote to count.   But, doing some research (and I don't mean believing outrageous e-mails or inflamatory TV commercials) and voting for the candidate you feel represents your views is what being an American is all about.

Don't forget to vote on November 4^th.