I came in to work a bit later today because I was voting. Yes, today is Election Day in the United States. I know that there are some questions about voting technology and accountability, but the real way to make sure your vote does not count is by not casting it at all. So, if you are over 18 and registered to vote, go do it. Where I am at, the polls are open from 7:00a to 7:00p.
Here are some resources that may be of interest:
National:
- Project Vote Smart
- Rock the Vote
- Vote 411, from the League of Women Voters, includes a polling place locator.
- Voter Information, from the Secretary of State.
- Harris County Votes, for information on voting. However, do note that the voter registration information, such as your polling location, is under the county tax office (yea, go figure).
- Harris County Tax Office. Click on the red link for "Find Polling Location," then enter your zip code. If you click on the link for "Voter Registration," you can see the voter database, which allows you to see your registration and the incumbents in your district.
"Today is U.S. election day. Today. Tuesday the 7th. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today you need to find ten minutes before, after, or during work to drive/walk/bike/train/carpool/drunkenly stumble to your local firehouse/school/residence hall/public space and vote."
It is today, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You miss out if you don't do it today. I voted at a church; it did take about ten minutes, and no, I did not drunkenly stumble there. I may have to consider that for the next election (hmm). She then briefly tells you what you need to do to know where to vote and who to vote. You can look over her links or the ones above.
Update note (same day, later on): I know, I keep fiddling with this post, but I keep finding good stuff, so here goes. Find more resources for voting, as well as for keeping up with election results, via The Resource Shelf.
So, with all this wealth of information, you really have no excuse. Make some time and go vote.
(Crossposted from The Itinerant Librarian).
4 comments:
Good on you, Angel (as we would say here)!
In Australia it's compulsory to vote, which I actually think is a good thing. In previous years I've met quite a few Americans who had strong views on the direction your country was taking, but when I asked who they voted for, they sheepishly replied that they hadn't!
Hey there, CW. Interesting that you mention that voting is compulsory over there. I have to admit I never gave that concept much thought (I was aware some nations did it; I just never experienced it myself). I was at Walt Crawford's blog (the At Large one) today, where he had his own take on voting, and he said he did not believe people should be mandated to vote. I guess my question would be how would you handle people voting but not being informed about what they vote for? This was Walt's issue, about people being informed. Do people tend to try at least to learn more about the issues and candidates they are voting for? I guess it's a little of my curiosity, and I will admit, ignorance, in asking. I would be interested to hear why you think it is a good thing to make voting compulsory.
And yes, voting here is dismal, and this being a "midyear" usually means more so. I am of the thought that if you do not vote, you should not be able to complain. I have met the share of Americans who have strong views, either way, but then, like you describe, say they never voted. Go figure.
As always, great to have you stop by. Best, and keep on blogging.
Angel, I'll see what I can dig up and send you my response to Why I Think Voting Should Be Compulsory. (I started to write a reply here but it got a bit long and unwieldy and far too stream-of-consciousness!)
Martina: Thanks for stopping by, and you are welcome. I am thankful myself others did a lot of the work of making the sites available, bringing information, together so on.
Anonymous: Thanks, and no rush, when you get to it.
Best, and keep on blogging.
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