Today is the Super Bowl of democracy. It’s going to be a busy day. Try to vote in mid-afternoon to avoid the long lines, and if you can’t, do that, bring a good book and plan on being patient. And smile at the poll workers—they’re working a long day for peanuts, just because it’s the right thing to do.
I posted a week ago about verifying your registration, so you won’t have any problem, right? If you still don’t know where to go or what to do, there’s a widget on the right-hand side of this blog that will lead you to vote411.org, a nonpartisan website with links to help you find your polling place and other useful information.
If you are a registered voter, insist on your right to vote. If someone challenges you, stay calm but continue to assert your rights. Here are three hotlines to call if you have a problem at the polls:
1-866-MYVOTE1 (866-698-6831)
1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
If all else fails, exercise your right to vote via provisional ballot. If the election is close (and no one would bother challenging you if they didn’t expect the election to be close), the ballot will be opened and, if your registration is verified, it will be counted. I work for a mayor who was elected by a single vote, so I’m a believer on this one.
One more thing: Emotions are running high, and everyone thinks it will be the end of the world if the other guy is elected. Not so. That single vote that put the mayor into office wasn’t mine. I voted for his opponent, whom I thought was smarter and would more effective. I was wrong. Over the next few years, I watched this mayor steer the city through a financial crisis, smooth over political divisions, and build a much-needed new middle school. Within a year I had changed my assessment of him; now, seven years later, I work for him. So even if you think the winner is a total nincompoop, don’t turn your back. Stay involved. Be open to the possibility that the new guy might do OK, and if that doesn’t happen, start working to change things.
But first, vote! Otherwise you’re not allowed to complain for four years.
Brigid,
Thank you for your common sense. I’ve tune out so much of this election because all the doomsday talk. If X isn’t elected, the sun won’t shine, the rain won’t fall, and all humans will be sterile. Thanks again for that return to reality. I couldn’t vote this morning because the line was so long (a good sign) I wouldn’t get to work on time. But I’ll be standing in line for as long as it takes tonight. Voting Rules!!!
Brigid, thank you for this! I have already forwarded this information to one friend who is having problems voting!
You’re so inspiring, seriously. Civil duty! I wish more people followed your example.
Personal question, though…I keep trying to figure out where you live. There are all these HINTS about an area with a mayor who surprised the people, your husband’s work in physics, and a weather comment from time to time…but I just can’t figure it out. You’re not in New England, are you?
Thanks, everyone!
Lianne, I’m not deliberately trying to be enigmatic! I live in Melrose, Massachusetts, which is 7 miles north of Boston. My husband is in the physics department of Northeastern University and is a member of the D0 collaboration at Fermilab and the CMS collaboration at CERN—that’s the Large Hadron Collider. I’m the only Brigid Alverson on the whole internet, so I always figure people who want to know who I am will just Google me!
You put it very nicely, and I love the line about not complaining. My government teacher in high school loved that one.