I am early voting today. I expect the lines to be long. For me, voting is an important part of my participation in our democracy. I vote in every election whether they are local, state-wide, or national. I’ve studied the issues and my choices are clear. I won’t spend much time in my voting space. Where I vote, we use electronic voting machines. We’re given a pencil with an eraser. We use the eraser to mark our choices on the screen. When I’m finished voting I will have a chance to review my choices. Once I’ve reviewed them I mark submit ballot. A computerized completed ballot is printed. I take this ballot to the clerk and I submit the ballot into another electronic device where my vote is registered. I receive a copy of my ballot and I return the pencil. I’ll pick up an “I voted” sticker and proudly wear it throughout the day. Voting is a big deal. If you’re in the U.S. I hope you are registered to vote and vote. Each vote makes a difference.
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Something to Think About
A great right in democracies is the right to vote. We can vote between competing candidates who express competing ideas. When we don’t vote, we forfeit our right to have a say in who governs us. Sometimes our votes are for winning candidates whose views we support. Other times, our votes are for the losing candidate and the opposing candidate wins. That’s the way it is in a democracy, the majority vote counts. We accept it and move on, grateful we had a chance to vote.
