Be Prepared. Understand the local races and propositions that will likely be on the ballot along with the presidential ticket. I have always appreciated the League of Women Voters' Voting Guides, a non-partisan, objective summary of both sides of each race that allows you to be an informed voter when you go into the booth and more quickly make your choices. Each side is allowed to submit their own written summary for inclusion. For example, here is the voting guide produced for the Austin, TX area. To find yours, search Google for "League of Women Voters" plus your city or county name. I like to spend a few minutes reading this guide before visiting the polls and make myself some notes to take in there. All of those propositions can be confusing!
Vote Early. Early voting is allowed in Texas, and according to USA Today, 31 states allow people to vote in person before Election Day without requiring an excuse. Visit Vote411.org to find out the correct information about dates, times, and locations for your area. If you vote early, you get to vote on YOUR terms, when it's convenient for you! You can vote on your lunch hour, on the weekends, or even possibly at the grocery store! I like voting at my grocery store polling place– so efficient to pick up some things for dinner while I vote. 🙂
Get a Sitter. If you can't engineer a convenient time to vote early, get some help to make it easier for you. Trade child care with a friend so you both can get out and vote without the kiddos. Or how about some free and discounted sitters on election day? From Today's Mama's press release (NOTE: from 2008):
TodaysMama and Sittercity.com today announced that as part of the MamaVote initiative, they will offer free and discounted babysitting on Election Day, November 4, 2008. From October 27 to November 3, all individuals who sign up for a membership at SitterCity.com with the promotional code MamaVote08 will be eligible for 50 percent off babysitting on Election Day. In addition, the first 50 individuals to register will receive free babysitting for two hours on Election Day.
TodaysMama joined with the League of Women Voters and Sittercity.com to launch MamaVote last year, a non-partisan, education and inspiration-based initiative that encourages mothers to get involved in the political process. By offering discounted, reliable babysitting, these organizations hope to get more women to the polls.
Plan for a Speedy Trip. If you must vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 2, 2010), make sure you understand exactly which is the correct polling place for you to avoid waiting in line only to find you're in the wrong place! This happened to people in the (2008 presidential) primaries– not fun. Again, check Vote411.org to find out. Go at the off-peak times, which would be during mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Avoid, if you can, going right before work, right after work, during lunch, or at closing time for the polls. You will probably hit some long lines. Bring your voter registration card and ID, and have it handy when you arrive at the front to speed up the line.
Make sure when you vote to take a moment to appreciate your freedom to do so. I always have a very solemn and grateful feeling when I vote, knowing there are other people around the world who can't.
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No early voting in Washington State?! LAME!!!
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