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Voting Reflections

DonnaF

Veteran

So proud of my Millenial who texted me that she voted at 7am today. But then I recall that when she was growing up I never voted Absentee so that I could drag her to the polls and so she could also see my "I voted" sticker.

My mom used to work our suburban poll when I was growing up. It meant sitting in a garage all day as folks voted, then hand counting the ballots into the wee hours of the morning. I will never forget the woman who didn't let them count in her home and made them drive home to use the bathroom. That Wednesday, my mom didn't get home until 7am or maybe it was much much later.

Please vote! IMHO it then gives you the right to complain about whatever race or measure didn't go your way. Otherwise, just put up since you were part of the problem. And a shout out to the League of Women Voters. They covered obscure races (transit district and water district) which helped me make my decisions.

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16 replies

Latest reply was from Laurie

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Good job, mom, and to your mom too!
I must remember to point out the LWV to my son. He was very enthusiastic about his first election in 2020, but beyond getting absentee voter materials, idk what he did in this one.

Helena

Veteran

Not American Donna, but love this and agree with everything you said. Your Mom instilled the importance into you and it must be gratifying to see you've done the same for DD! Good for her for being engaged and voting!!!

I do the same as you did ... My kids come to the polls with us to see the process and know that going to vote is what's done. We don't have the I Voted stickers here though ... I think Elections Canada should get on that! My son will likely be old enough to vote by the time the next federal election comes (we don't have fixed dates so you never know) and it will be interesting to see how he tackles it.

Sending positive thoughts to all the Americans that this election brings good things for your country xx

Sloper

Veteran

Yes to League of Women Voters. I don't know how or when I first heard of them but I feel like I've ALWAYS known about them. That's where you went to get registered. (Probably a big thanks to my Mom and Dad, may they rest in peace).

My first vote at 18, absentee while away at college.
Since then, I've always voted in person until Covid came along. I love going to vote. It's one of those life moments that never gets old.

Growing up, in my house, we didn't just hear about "all the starving children so eat your food," we also heard about countries that didn't have free and fair elections.

My sister works every election year for her county's election board, training volunteers before Election Day, supervising on the day, and counting/verifying ballots afterwards.

JAileen

Veteran

I volunteered as a poll worker a few times. It was when we could split a shift with another person. A half shift was very nearly a full eight hours. Then they stopped allowing the split and I said okay, I’ll pass.

I voted before Halloween in a grocery store. What I really like about early voting is you can go to any of the many locations. I think it’s true today, too. Anyway, there was zero line and it took about ten minutes despite the long ballot. We’re in a battleground state and so I’ll be happy the nonstop awful ads will stop.

I just texted my son to see if he had voted, and he had.

SarahD8

Veteran

Good job Mama, and Grandmama, and Millennial!

I live in a vote by mail state, and when we switched (some years ago now) I did feel a sense of loss about the ritual of going to the polls. But today I felt really grateful for how easy my state makes it to vote — you can mail your ballot (must be postmarked by Election Day) with no postage required or drop off at ballot drop box (they have added more locations this year). We have same day voter registration too.

Sal

Veteran

I quite like the ceremony of going in to vote on the day....but I support any action that makes it easier for people to vote.

I hope that the polarisation of politics in recent years does not put moderates off voting altogether....I worry that is happening here!

tam

In my opinion teaching our children the importance of civic duty is one of many important jobs we do as parents. My DD was as excited to register to vote as she was to get her driver's license. My grandmother told me stories of marching to get the right to vote. It is a responsibility I wish more took more seriously. I vote in person as I love to see the workers, stand in line with others and just experience the special day that so many died for us to have the right.

RobinF

Veteran

My kids are way more interested in politics than I was at their age, and we all shared pics of our "I voted" stickers. In my state, we just recently were given the ability to vote absentee for any reason and early vote. I decided to vote on the day - there is something kind of rewarding about everyone with the same purpose, a feeling of community maybe that is rare these days.

rachylou

Veteran

I like to try and make my I Voted sticker last all year, lol. I sort of miss going to the polling place, but have to admit drop-off is easier and I approve of not calling elections until all the votes are counted… which this new system encourages.

kkards

Veteran

i voted yesterday at 7:35 AM and was the 34 person in my precinct to have voted -doesn't sound good, but i've voted in some midterms at 6:35 PM and only been number 75!
early/mail in voting is new to my state and VERY contentious, so i've continued to vote in person because i want to make sure that my vote counts

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I voted via early mail-in ballot, and so did my husband. We voted in a different state the last two elections because we had legal residence there and hoped to make a difference (yeah, you can laugh, Texas is a hopeless case). Now we only have one residence but decided to keep voting by mail. In 2020, we dropped off our mail ballots in Green River, Utah, because we were on a big trip! I’ll never forget that. And when we heard the final results of the election, we were still on that same trip, driving through El Paso!

I’ve voted in every election for which I was eligible ever since I was 18. Our state is a closed primary state and I’ve been registered unaffiliated until very recently, so I haven’t been able to vote in the primaries.

The moderates/independents I know have been very motivated this year, and I know a lot of young people who took more interest in the midterm elections than I ever recall seeing before. I’ve been involved in campaigning and fundraising multiple times over the years, so I’m glad to see more engagement.

I remember when the LWV was the entity that ran the presidential debates.

DonnaF

Veteran

I b!tch and moan habout our super long ballots, but when I think about the folks in this country who died to get the right to vote and others overseas who don't have that right -- well who am I to complain. It's a sacred right and duty.

Anonymous

Yay for the LWV! Not all the candidates bothered to respond to the questions though.
My family and I voted by mail again. Glad that I still have the right!

Kathie

Veteran

It's been phenomenal to see the interest in voting in younger generations. Kids at our local high schools have worked tirelessly to ensure that every 18 year old registers, and that the 17 year olds know how to register as soon as they're eligible. My state has attended drop boxes, so I got to vote at home, and still got the sticker when I dropped off my ballot. I will admit that I love the sticker.

Echo

Veteran

Although a number of laws have made it more difficult for students to vote here, I am so proud that my two college students voted (one did early voting and the other came home to vote) and my young adult son voted in-person. Even my Dh, who is normally completely turned off by politics, voted. Sadly, my state - like many other places - is especially polarized. Many races here were decided on about a 1% margin, which will not help anyone get along. : (

Laurie

Veteran

Late to this discussion, but DonnaF I wanted to say that I wrote postcards (300) and letters (60) to get out the vote this election cycle, and on my letters I quoted George Carlin - "if you don't vote, you lose the right to complain!"

Glad to hear so many stories about participation of the younger generations - so, so important. My 27 yr old is way more involved than I was in my 20's. He has been an election judge (poll worker) in Boston since the 2020 election, and really gets a lot of satisfaction out of volunteering. It was uneventful, thank goodness, this election.