Voting is like a PBJ

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So, yesterday was voting day for many offices like County Clerk and Congress.   I always want to educate myself on the many issues and campaign trailblazers so I can make my voice count.  Voting is our God-given right which wasn't even acknowledged by our nation until the women's suffrage movement.  Many of our great-great-grandmothers met, marched, and went on strike to strive for the right to vote.

When I hear anyone I come in contact with say that due the fact that they don't like anyone on the ballot they're not going to vote - it blows my mind!  We are blessed with that privilege!  And even if you don't like anyone, to not vote is still casting a vote because your voice isn't heard.  

Think of it like this:  
What if there was only a choice between peanut butter or jelly - and the popular vote would bring to light what we're allowed to eat.  
If you say, 'Well, I don't like either, so it doesn't matter!'  Then you choose not to vote.  Whatever the outcome is, you're not going to help choose it and you don't care.
Then, because you didn't vote - the majority pick peanut butter.  Jelly lost.  But you don't care!! Because you don't like either and you're apathetic to both.
Now that peanut butter is all you're allowed to eat - it's determined that you've developed a severe food allergy to peanuts.  Well, oops - that's just too bad.  You didn't cast your vote.  You could have made a difference.  You had no idea that peanuts would be the worst choice of all and didn't care.  BUT you should have.  Because your vote could have saved your life and who knows how many others.

Voting is important, peeps.  Even if you're not a fan of who's on the ballot.  There are important issues on a local level that need your attention.  You have a chance to change your community for the better.  And if the ballot lists a bunch of blowhards - and you could care less - decide to care.  Pick the lesser of two evils.  Because the worst thing that would have happened with jelly was a tummy ache or a sugar rush, but now the end result with peanuts is a shorter life span.

Plus, think of voting as an adventure.  You never know what will happen.  Take yesterday for example.

When I went to the polls to vote it was almost comical. I successfully got to cast my ballot - but not before I almost lost my mind. The following scenario actually took place ...

Me (walking up to volunteer): Here's my license.

Voter poll guy (who shall be named VPG going forward): Affiliation.

Me: Republican


VPG looks through the list and tries to find me based on my driver's license.


VPG: You're not in here.


Me: Yes, I am.


VPG: Are you sure you're a republican?


Me: YEAH, I AM.


VPG: Are you sure?


Me: I'm pretty sure. (gave him an incredulous look)


VPG (looks again): Well, maybe they've switched you to the Democratic list.


Me: No - because I'd have to fill a form out for that - which I have not done!


VPG: Well (pointing to another district's voting booth area) - I think you're with that district because you're not on my list.


Me: I've been voting at this section and district for 16 years. I'm supposed to be here. Can you look again?  


VPG: Ma'am, you're not in here. You're sure you're a republican?


Me: YES! 
I walk down the hall to the other district just to take a breath and count to 10. I tell the new guy at the other district voting booth - that my district's volunteer is clueless to where I'm supposed to be. He asks my address and once I tell him - he agrees that I'm supposed to be at the first table, where I came from. 
I walk back to the first table.

Me: Hi me again. I'm supposed to be here.

VPG: Are you a Republican or Democrat?

Me: (I gave him a look) RE-PUB-LIC-AN

VPG: Well, Okay. But you're not in here.

Me: Just look. 

As he scrolls through his book I peer across the table and see my name clear as day, and almost knock the table to the ground because I'm repeatedly jabbing my finger on his so called list. 
Me: That's my name!! (jab jab jab) Right THERE!

VPG: (shrugs) Oh, sorry about that. 

Me: (thankful I can vote and counting to ten) 

After I cast my ballot, I give the whole group a genuine smile. The ladies working the table with VPG found the whole thing pretty funny.

VPG: Don't forget your sticker.

I hastily grab my sticker wondering what Laurel and Hardy would say about all that.

OH MY GOODNESS! People! Go VOTE - because you never know what could happen. Make your voice heard and have fun doing it.







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