Where I grew up (in North Carolina), you can register to vote so long as you will be at least 18 years old by “the next general election.” You can pre-register to vote as early as 16 years old – again, assuming that you’ll be at least 18 years old on or before election day to vote. So when I was a teenager, as soon as I could, I rushed down to the public library to sign up to vote. It was, I remember, the most important thing on my mind. Not prom, not graduation, not getting my driver’s license. Registering to vote.
I got my enthusiasm for politics honest. Ever since I can remember, my parents voted. They never sported bumper stickers or wore election buttons. We never had yard signs touting one candidate or another. Mostly, they kept their politics quiet (I even recall my mother telling my father, in no uncertain terms, that he “had no idea” who she voted for). But I was acutely aware of the fact that they voted.
I think that’s the reason that I have always understood that we, as a people, derive our power from the right to vote. Even when things don’t go our way, we still significantly contribute to the process when we pull that lever. There has never been a moment – ever – when I truly thought that my vote didn’t count.
Yes, I whine about Congress, the Governor and City Council. I realize that things aren’t perfect. But I still vote.
For the last eight years (excuse me while I rub my eyes a bit in disbelief), I haven’t gone to the polls alone. I’ve taken my kids along with me. I want them to see me participating in the process and understand what a privilege it is to live in a country where we have the right to be heard. They totally get it. And sometimes, I even let them pull the lever at the end (yes, we have the curtain type booths with the levers in Pennsylvania).
This year, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 37 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested. At a state level, there are 38 races for governor. It’s a big, big year, folks.
So, on this Election Day in particular, please take a minute to make your voice heard. If you aren’t sure where to go, you can find your polling place here.
Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. – Abraham Lincoln
when i found where to vote i committed to vote and that took me to a site that asked for money but with no affiliation until i looked at the brower address and it was from barack and i would not have even bothered if i had seen that first. i am handicapped and this was shameful!
Sorry to hear that! I tested the polling place locator yesterday and it worked fine – but I didn’t fill out the email bits so I wasn’t solicited. But thanks for pointing it out. I’ve since changed the link.
Sometimes as a parent you wonder, down the road of life, if you made a difference. Did you teach your kids the right stuff? Did they take it in and retain it? Did they realize how it be when their time came to do similar stuff?
Kelly just made her Dad’s day. Voting is a priviledge and a right. Too many folks pass on both. I am very glad Kelly is passing that lesson on to my grandkids, who one day will have to live with the many votes cast before their time. Then they can vote and pass the priviledge and a right onto the kids. And make a difference, one vote, and one vote, etc.
Encourage your friends to vote. But most of all, you vote. And teach others too, also.
Thanks Dad!