Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Why I don't vote

Oh I don't vote. I figure whatever happens, happens.....I just don't believe in it.

Did anyone else hear that interview on NPR last week with the folks going door to door to get out the vote when they came upon this one? I think my jaw dropped when I heard this woman say she doesn't vote. To think she's so disconnected to not want to vote? And then I realized, there are a lot of people who think this way. Look at voter turnout.

Me? I don't get it. Of course I vote. And I'm so glad to live in Oregon where we vote by mail. You don't have to haul your ass to some elementary school basement where you are greeted by 80 year old volunteers wearing SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ribbons. We don't have to stand in some rinky dink booth with red white and blue drapes providing security while we line up some machine to hopefully punch holes in the right place. We have it easy. Make some drinks, gather up the massive amounts of campaign mailers we've received, and get to it. That's voting night at our household. Good times, good times.

Shout out to all the voters out there: if you voted, leave a comment. Feel free to delurk or just say you did it. Props to you: your voice is heard.

14 comments:

rodger said...

Voted last week, party tonight to watch returns with some NoPo friends. You're welcome to stop by for drinks and food!

Lee said...

I voted with the old ribbon wearing ladies...woohoo

bemused said...

I voted! Except for a few minor elections, I don't think I've missed a chance to vote since I turned 18 in 1976 (Carter vs Ford). Back in the day when we went to polling booths, I dragged my kids along so they could watch me participate in the democratic process. I told them that someday they would vote and how important it is to do so. We talk about the candidates and the issues and how to decipher the BS from the facts. We hope to mold our kids into responsible voters, even if we don't agree on who or what should win. That's all part of the process. What matters is that they get informed and vote.

Jim said...

I voted last week! I'm digging the whole mail in ballot.

The Guy Who Writes This said...

I fear we will convince people to move here just to avoid those little old ladies.

Anonymous said...

The Hubs and I voted by mail too here in CA! Whooot-wooo!

purpletwinkie said...

Done. Did it.

Voting is a little different here in Nevada. We are given the choice to vote on election day, or we can vote any day during the two weeks prior. I'm not sure about up north, but here in Las Vegas, we can vote at selected grocery stores or shopping malls during those two weeks. It's very convenient.

Our vote is captured in a high-tech sorta way (contrary to popular belief, it's not via slot machine). We have fancy schmancy touch screen thingy mabobs where you stick your electronic swipe card in and lah lah lah la la...vote via touch screen. Then the unit goes "bing dickety dickety dickety and prints our a quick paper verification for review. If that looks good, you agree and the paper zips... wooosh out of sight, your card pops out and you drop it in a box and you're on your way.

Happy Little Atom said...

I love voting in a place that's more consistent with my own stand on things (I'm from Texas!) I LOVED voting. Loved reading about the issues, the measures, all of it. This is the most I've enjoyed voting since... well, last year!

Rozanne said...

I voted on Saturday and got the ballots over to the library before the typhoon began Saturday PM. Not that the typhoon would have stopped me from getting my ballot in. I love not feeling all rushed and fretful on voting day.

You are so right about the 80-year-old volunteers at the polls--good for them for volunteering, but they aren't always quite as on top of things as one might wish.

Maggie said...

I voted! Even was one of those annoying moms that took her three year old. yea, I know. But, it was after work and the only time.
And, surprisingly enough, she was great. It must have been the sheer number of grannies in the room!

witchtrivets said...

I voted -- first time ever in Oregon. We made sure as soon as we got here that we were signed up to vote on time. I still don't have an Oregon driver's license or a cell phone with a local #, but goshdarnit, I will not miss an election. I am watching the results warily. I had a long conversation with my sister (who I haven't spoken to since I moved here -- but election day is a special call worthy occasion) who explained to me the difference between being optimist and being hopeful about the results. She's hopeful. I am not sure what I am, but things have got to get better this cycle.

Radio Gretchen said...

I voted last night at about 7:00 pm. I'm not a big fan of vote by mail. I like the sense of community that is expressed by people going to the polls in person on the same day. So, I drove my ballot to the drop-off on 10th and Morrison last night with a bunch of other last minute voters. Felt good.

Anonymous said...

im huge on voting but most my early twenty-something friends aren't... crazy to me... we are democracy

pack of 2 said...

yep...i did it.

S