More On Voting

We just had our primary election in Florida, and turnout in my county was about 25%.

One in four. Oh, people. We can do better.

(I am happy to report, by the way, that the school board candidate who wanted students to kneel for the cross lost.)

They do say they expect turnout in November to be closer to 90%, because it's the presidential election, and gosh, I would hope so. I mean, if you're not voting now...with everything that's at stake....when?

If you've been reading here for a while, you have probably gathered that I am...not a Republican. I was not a huge Biden fan but not hugely against him, even after his debate performance, but when he stepped aside for Kamala Harris, and with all that has happened since then, I have been surprised by the feelings of hope that I'm experiencing. 

And I freely admit that I knew nothing about Tim Walz, but the more I hear, the more I love him. LOVE him. 

I mean, he looks kind of grandpa-like, but he isn't at all old. Compare him to the opposition, for instance.

Remember the man or bear debate from earlier this year?

I know this one is virtually impossible to read, but if you search on "Tim Walz high school project genocide" there are a number of articles on it. It's fascinating! The way he thinks!

There is the absolutely hysterical fact that the other side is trying to claim that Walz wasn't really a coach, because he was an assistant coach, and, like, really? That's the big dirt on him?

Now, of course, for the editors among us, there is a dark side of the ticket to brace for:

Anyway! In all seriousness, I am very reliable in terms of voting in every election--are you? if not, maybe now is the time to start? don't feel bad for the past, change for the future!--but I will admit that I've never been that involved in campaigning, etcetera. But this year, this last month, I am feeling a bit more inspired, and when I saw mention of Postcards to Swing States, I thought, that is something I could do. 

I mean, I am not knocking on doors, or making phone calls, or working the polls. Let's be honest. These are all great things to do, but not for me (eww, people). Writing postcards encouraging people to vote, though, that I can do. And I can afford the stamps, as well as the hand cramps (though if I do some every week, that should be minimal). I signed up to do 100, and chose Florida specifically.

My postcards and instructions arrived this week, and the paperwork has some suggested messages. And maybe I am overly sensitive, but I do not at all like the first suggestion:

Message A: This “social pressure” message is the most effective based on many studies:

Thank you for being a voter! Who you vote for is private, but whether you vote is public record. Please vote in the Tues. Nov 5 election!

That sounds like a threat! No! Personally, I would not at all like to get that message. But the other two suggestions are better, and I'll probably alternate between them.

If you are a US citizen, please register to vote now. And if you're already registered, you can double-check and make sure you still are, here.

Please. It's so important.