Voting is part of what makes our nation great. You don’t have to worry about being shot while you wait in line to vote. You don’t have to sit in jail and be force fed because you want the right to vote – the suffragettes did that for you. All you need to do is VOTE!
The only way to make changes in our country is to pick people who represent what you believe in (or at least some of what you believe in). Face it, nobody ever agrees on every issue. But you need to find candidates you believe will work for your best interests and cast your vote for them.

Don’t just look at campaign promises. Look at how they have voted in the past. If health issues are important to you, check out where they stood on those issues – before they started running for office. You may find what they say now has nothing to do with how they really feel. And most campaign promises never come true. There are other people involved in final decisions on new bills that come before Congress. No ONE person can change laws – it takes a majority. But having someone to promote your wants and issues in congress, on the county commission or city council, is very important.
If you need special accommodations or can’t stand long, think about voting early. Here we have eight different places you can go for early voting, from the courthouse to the library to other public buildings. All of them are handicapped accessible. You have several days to choose from, the staff there will help you through the line, and it doesn’t take very long to go and vote.
Regular voting precincts are also handicapped accessible, but they can be very busy with everyone trying to vote in one day. The best time to go to the polls is early in the morning, but I’m no early bird, so that doesn’t work for me!
We went down at 2:00 PM and, after waiting for a bit in two different lines) we were out of there at 2:20 PM.
Do read up on the issues and know how you are going to vote. If you aren’t sure you’ll remember, make yourself some notes and take them along. Being prepared makes it go faster also.
And, while it’s too late to do that this year, think about applying for an absentee ballot. That way it is mailed to your house and you can do your voting at your kitchen table!
If you have a problem getting down there to vote, call the elections board and see what suggestions they have for transportation. Or perhaps call the party you belong to – one of the volunteers there may help you.
But don’t hesitate. Vote- it’s your right – just do it!
Written by Jo Ann Hakola, The Book Faerie, © 2008 butyoudontlooksick.com