I do it because I don't like to wait in lines with my toddler and I want the extra time to research all the candidates, all the way down to judges and amendments and such (it's not just the Presidential election on the ballot) and I want that info in front of me when I fill out my ballot. I like getting my vote in early and then watching the action on Election Day :)
I did early voting last week. No line at all. YAY! And I had the pleasure of having a great discussion with an undecided who wasn't sure who she wanted to vote for. Instead of telling her all the reasons she should vote for who I voted for, I offered up the option to research and decide which candidate best aligned with her own beliefs. She felt more encouraged about making her own choice and casting her vote.
This is the first year I have ever mailed in a vote, but it had to be done. I must say I enjoyed being able to discuss things with my husband and son (his first ear to vote!) We were able to clarify something about amending a law, which I found helpful because I didn't know the amendment was going to be on there.
I do miss the excitement of talking about other voters and wearing my little "I voted" sticker, but I'm also glad I mailed in early because with a broke foot, standing in line for hours would NOT have been fun.
Hubby and I voted this morning, early enough that there wasn't much of a line. Everything went smoothly. Ended up talking with a neighbor who was there, too, each of us knowing we were of a different persuasion. But we talked and joked and had a good time. It was fun...
Yup! I walked to our polling center about an hour ago. I can see my sticker out of the corner of my eye now. I always feel so ridiculously proud after I've cast my ballot.
After seeing horribly long lines on TV at different places, I bet you're glad you're a mail-in voter. Clever of you! And good for you for voting. (I'm bad -- I just cheer or boo from the sidelines...)
Congratulations, Jess, for making careful choices on the judges. You can vote for members of Congress and state legislatures all you want, but the judges decide how to apply the laws to individuals. You can get anything from a judge who says, "You're an axe-murderer? Oh, but you probably had a bad childhood" to "You moved your car from just outside the sidewalk to your own driveway without your driver's license? Massive fine for you!"
As a Canadian, I won't be voting but I will be avidly watching your returns. U.S. election day is always an exciting one!
ReplyDeleteBy the the way, I'm curious about why you're a mail-in voter. Do you vote in a different district than the one where you live?
I do it because I don't like to wait in lines with my toddler and I want the extra time to research all the candidates, all the way down to judges and amendments and such (it's not just the Presidential election on the ballot) and I want that info in front of me when I fill out my ballot. I like getting my vote in early and then watching the action on Election Day :)
DeleteI did early voting last week. No line at all. YAY! And I had the pleasure of having a great discussion with an undecided who wasn't sure who she wanted to vote for. Instead of telling her all the reasons she should vote for who I voted for, I offered up the option to research and decide which candidate best aligned with her own beliefs. She felt more encouraged about making her own choice and casting her vote.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I love doing candidate research :)
DeleteThis is the first year I have ever mailed in a vote, but it had to be done. I must say I enjoyed being able to discuss things with my husband and son (his first ear to vote!) We were able to clarify something about amending a law, which I found helpful because I didn't know the amendment was going to be on there.
ReplyDeleteI do miss the excitement of talking about other voters and wearing my little "I voted" sticker, but I'm also glad I mailed in early because with a broke foot, standing in line for hours would NOT have been fun.
Happy election day (I hope)
Ouch, a broken foot! Yeah, you definitely didn't need to be waiting in line :)
DeleteHubby and I voted this morning, early enough that there wasn't much of a line. Everything went smoothly. Ended up talking with a neighbor who was there, too, each of us knowing we were of a different persuasion. But we talked and joked and had a good time. It was fun...
ReplyDeleteThat's always fun~ I have friends/family all over the political map, but we always manage to keep conversations full of friendly-jabs-only :)
DeleteJust voted with hubby.
ReplyDeleteFeels good to have that freedom.
Sure does :)
DeleteYes, I'm going.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
DeleteYup! I walked to our polling center about an hour ago. I can see my sticker out of the corner of my eye now. I always feel so ridiculously proud after I've cast my ballot.
ReplyDeleteHappy Election Day!
Aw, that's the one thing I miss out on by mailing my vote~ no sticker for me :(
DeleteAfter seeing horribly long lines on TV at different places, I bet you're glad you're a mail-in voter. Clever of you! And good for you for voting. (I'm bad -- I just cheer or boo from the sidelines...)
ReplyDeleteI saw those lines...my kiddo would not have been happy in those lines :)
DeleteI did! There was literally no line at my polling station.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Bet you felt like a stealth ninja voter :)
DeleteI mailed, too (well, dropped the ballot off at the local drop-off spot because I'm too cheap for postage). Definitely the way to go!
ReplyDeleteI popped for the postage~ the gas cost to get to the drop-off spot would've been more :)
DeleteCongratulations, Jess, for making careful choices on the judges. You can vote for members of Congress and state legislatures all you want, but the judges decide how to apply the laws to individuals. You can get anything from a judge who says, "You're an axe-murderer? Oh, but you probably had a bad childhood" to "You moved your car from just outside the sidewalk to your own driveway without your driver's license? Massive fine for you!"
ReplyDelete