I saw the best commercial this year – a woman leaves her apt, it’s raining, and she gets on the bus. When she gets off the bus, the camera pans out and we see that she is in a wheelchair. She ducks under a barrier to wheel herself to the building to vote.
If she can do it – so can everyone else in this country. And I mean everyone.

My husband is very civic minded. When we lived in an apt, he was on the Landlord/Tenant commission of our county. When we moved in with my parents, one of the first things he did was sign up to be an election judge. I’ve always wanted to be an election judge – but the long grueling day is a barrier to me. I’d end up in bed for a week recovering!
He got his materials on procedures and spent every free minute reading and reviewing them. Then he read them again. He proudly spent a very, very long day checking in voters, helping them to the machines, patiently explaining procedures. He didn’t get home until long after the polls were closed, because he needed to make sure all proper procedures were followed. When the Chief Election Judge resigned – he gladly signed up and I’m proud to say that he gets up early that day, goes to the polls, makes sure that all equipment and people are properly placed and in running order and then he spends the entire day making sure it all runs smoothly. He feels it’s his duty. This year – he’s read and re-read the materials on procedure once again, made the phone calls for volunteers and is looking forward to serving his country in the best way he can. On Nov 4, he’ll get up very early, put on his Constitution or Flag shirt and do the same. If he can go through all of the preparation, studying, phone calls, procedure and equipment glitches – then the least I can do is go down to vote – and to give him a kiss and tell him thank you. When the other volunteers tell me what a great job he’s doing – it makes me so proud.
I can’t imagine that one week prior to the election, people are undecided. Usually, I wait for the Women’s League of Voter’s information to come out in our county weekly newspaper. Each year they request each candidate’s information on themselves and their position on various policies. Then they list it orderly, clearly in the paper just prior to the election.
This year – in our information age – we can watch debates (although personally I don’t think they reveal much about policy, but more about the person – how they hold themselves, how they react to questions, their manner of speaking, etc.), we can research information online and go to various representative communities to seek information on positions. I can’t tell you how much information I’ve read in AARP magazine, their emails and their newsletters! Bipartisan – but clear information.
I just did a search of websites – www.vote-usa.org; www.easyvoter.org; www.votesmart.org; www.uspolitics.america.gov; and of course the candidates individual websites.
I hope that each of us in every community vote. This year is like no other! A candidate of race, a female on the ballot, historical changes to come our country will change significantly next year. There is no reason that even the disabled community can’t get out there and vote. In my area – Maryland – voter registration information was advertised each day. Then, some states are allowing voters to vote prior to the election, just as absentees do in order to alleviate the long lines at the election stations. Awesome!
Now that you’ve got the information you need to make a decision, how you going to get there? Well – everyone is going – catch a ride! Many counties and states are providing transportation for the elderly and disabled. Check your local listings to see if this is available to you.
Not to mention that many restaurants, coffee shops, etc. are offering freebies to those that vote. California Tortilla gives a free taco – last year I told them my husband was an election judge and asked if I could have one for him – and they gave it to me!
So wear that sticker proudly.
Former leaders of our country travel to other countries that are just beginning the free democracy process in order to insure a fair election. The people in those countries line up for hours – without complaining – in order to mark a piece of paper and put it in a box. They are proud to vote – members of their family may have died for that right.
When I turned 18 and was eligible to vote – I did. I have voted in every single election since. This country is free enough to vote without intimidation, falsehoods, and without recrimination for the wrong guy who won.
If I didn’t vote, I feel as if I’d be dismissing all that my ancestors went through, in order to make sure that I had the freedom to vote for whom I wanted .
It’s my right and if I don’t vote – I could easily lose that right. I believe my vote will count. Will yours?
Article Submitted by Linda Kasserman, butyoudontlooksick.com 2008