To become President and Commander-in-Chief of the United States
a candidate must receive 270 out of 538 Electoral College Votes.

“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
~ Abraham Lincoln

Today is Election Day!

Millions of Americans will go to the polls. Millions have already voted via absentee ballot and in states where early voting is allowed. If you have not yet voted, today is your day!

Despite the blatant attempts at voter suppression and the overblown concern about voter fraud, and the paranoia that abounds on both issues, kindly don’t let anything deter you from exercising your hard-fought* Constitutional right to vote, which is the backbone of the democratic system upon which our nation was founded. Casting your votes for candidates up and down the ballot is empowering and a responsible and gratifying way to resolve some of the frustration built up over the course of the long election season.

For some it might be difficult to take off work, arrange for a sitter or find transportation; and in some areas the lines might be long and the weather lousy. But it behooves us all to find a way.

Having a voice in the way one’s country, state or municipality is run is worth the temporary inconvenience and sacrifice, especially when we consider the circumstances some citizens must navigate in order to exercise their right to vote, including a 100 year old woman in North Carolina! If they can overcome obstacles, so can we.

Helpful Election Day websites:

• Locate your Polling Place at I Will Vote.
  
• Find your state’s hotline number for information or to report a problem at National Association of Secretaries of State.
• Report voter intimidation on a Hotline posted on Rock the Vote Facebook Page.
  

Achieving the Right to Vote throughout American History:

• In 1781 the U.S. Constitution, which declared the right of The People to govern themselves, was ratified. Included in this historical document is the right of The People to vote for the representatives that will administer their government and make decisions on their behalf.
• In 1870, following The War Between the States (AKA the Civil War), the 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote.
• In 1920, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote.
• In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law to overcome obstacles that prevented many African Americans from exercising their voting rights.
• In 1970, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18, prompted by the decades-long argument that if young people were going to be drafted to go to war they ought to be granted the right to cast their votes for those who would have the power to decide whether or not to declare such wars.

Vote As Though Your Life Depends On It

Our right and ability to vote comprise our official voice for the kind of life, country and world we want to live in. Millions of our fellow Americans have interrupted, devoted and even given their lives to protect our right to self-govern through our votes. It is our responsibility to use that right wisely, to vote and  take an active part in determining the direction of our country.

So bring along a good book to read, use your smartphone to conduct business or play games, or ask a friend to accompany you to have someone to chat with while you’re waiting in line to vote.

As the late great President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.”

Until next time,

Jeanne