Vote!

November 2 - get prepared, review your sample ballot, know the issues and understand your position.  It's your civic duty.  This is the only "homework" we really get in life--to effectively participate in our government.

I voted today.  I always vote early and vote by mail.  I enjoy the process.  I spent a little time online this afternoon researching the judicial appointments.  Most of these are "yes" or "no" votes (should they be elected to the office).  It can be a little complicated.  If you live in California, I found a cool website that helps you to "choose your judges," the three Supreme Court Justice choices.  It is a system, based upon your personal answers to a short survey, how you would likely vote based upon your values and preferences.

The rest of the judges, you're on your own.

If you're looking for some opposing views on the judges, this site is much more right-leaning than myself, but it's a good comparison and I use this as a "Reality Check," meaning that if this guy is for something then I'm generally not.

For the State Measures, there are some excellent resources with organizations recommendations.  My recommendation is for your to check out a few of these, compare them, and then check your own conscience and vote the way you truly want to see the world operate. 


League of Women Voters go over the Measure quite thoroughly, you can get a lay-man's understanding of the issues and the impacts.

Go beyond your comfort level a little this time.  I am a big proponent of dismantling the two-party system and we'll do that not by creating a three-party system.  We'll dismantle the two-party system by not supporting the parties.  Support the candidate, the idea, the value system, support the hair cut if you must.  But be willing to see beyond your party lines. 

The most important thing is- Vote.

Are we at all alike?

Are you like me? Are you obsessed with this election? It feels more like an addiction than a healthy civic concern. I’m already planning for the withdrawal to begin the morning of November 5. I must. Well, may be November 6. But I’ve made a commitment, to my friends, family, and most importantly to myself. I have to get back to my life.

Speaking of civic commitments, let’s talk about the Rock Stars of Election Day: Poll workers. Those are the people who will have completed a 3 hour class with the County, watched a 2 GB Instructional Video at home, and will have arrived at a polling place near you at 6:00 AM to prepare for the most important day in our nation, they are on the frontlines of our democratic system at work. It wouldn’t work without them. As someone put it, “Poll workers are the foundation upon which democracy rests.”

But if you are really like me, you’ve been voting by mail for a couple of years now. These ballots are counted early in Los Angeles County and mine is signed, sealed, stamped, and delivered. So I should be able to relax, right?

Wrong.

I decided to make November 4 "Poll workers are Rock Stars” Day. I’ll pick a few precincts where I know they had a shortage of local poll workers and someone had to travel from outside the area to help with the local civic responsibilities. LA County, for instance, had difficulty getting poll workers on the west side and in the north county. I guess the work isn’t good enough. Anyway, I’m on a mission to thank the poll workers – bring treats, water, whatever. Can’t be distracting to the process and I know enough to arrange this before hand and call ahead of time. But I think it can be done – besides I need something to do with all this nervous energy.

My point is: Remember to say thank you to your poll workers. If you think that things are screwed up now, just imagine…

Sources:

http://lavote.net/

http://act.credoaction.com/pollworkers/