Get out the vote! Electoral map.

This is a handy map that changes constantly, based on polls

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

If you scroll down to the bottom, you'll see the voter turnout for many countries.  The USA is near the bottom.

So, please, no matter how you vote, just get out there and do it!  It's the only way we can have a fair contest.

I have a question about voting since this will be my first time. I registered to vote in a different city, at the DMV, when I updated the address on my license she asked me if I wanted to vote etc, I said yes. Does this mean I have to go to that city to vote? I mean, there's no DMV in my city... so I had to go there. I haven't gotten anything in the mail, I don't know what to do/where to go.

Another question, how can I vote via the mail? The thought of waiting in line and my social anxiety together make me not want to vote when on the inside I really do.

If you're registered to vote in a certain city, you have to go to that city to vote.  For example, I'm going to college in a different state than where I am registered to vote, so I had to send in an absentee ballot request, and they will send me my voting material in the mail, and I will have to mail is back to them.  It's different for every state, so be sure you know what yours requires. 

Original Post by cptbunny:

I have a question about voting since this will be my first time. I registered to vote in a different city, at the DMV, when I updated the address on my license she asked me if I wanted to vote etc, I said yes. Does this mean I have to go to that city to vote? I mean, there's no DMV in my city... so I had to go there. I haven't gotten anything in the mail, I don't know what to do/where to go.

Another question, how can I vote via the mail? The thought of waiting in line and my social anxiety together make me not want to vote when on the inside I really do.

 Contact your County Registrar of Voters or Elections Office and request an absentee ballot. Vote at home and mail it in. Watch the deadlines!

You must go to the polling place on your voter's registration card.  Every state has different rules concerning absentee ballots.  As sock puppet says, the county registrar is the office to contact.  Or you could contact your state of federal legislator's office for help.

Handy website - non partisan organization for promoting voting.

League of Women Voters

Original Post by sock_puppet:

Original Post by cptbunny:

I have a question about voting since this will be my first time. I registered to vote in a different city, at the DMV, when I updated the address on my license she asked me if I wanted to vote etc, I said yes. Does this mean I have to go to that city to vote? I mean, there's no DMV in my city... so I had to go there. I haven't gotten anything in the mail, I don't know what to do/where to go.

Another question, how can I vote via the mail? The thought of waiting in line and my social anxiety together make me not want to vote when on the inside I really do.

 Contact your County Registrar of Voters or Elections Office and request an absentee ballot. Vote at home and mail it in. Watch the deadlines!

Would that be like the city hall?

There's a County Board of Elections office for each county. Google the one for your county and I'd call and find out. It might be different for each county. 

cptbunny - how long ago did you move?  I moved in April and got my new voter's registration card at the end of May, about 30 days later. 

Go to google and type in the name of the county where you live now and county board of elections (ie Greene County board of elections)  That will give you the phone number of your local board.  They will have your name on file and will give you all the information you need in order to vote.

Don't give up!  Your vote counts!

It may be too late to change your registration to your current city. It should not be too late to get an absentee ballot. Go find out today.

Here's an interesting article about changing the electoral voting system. It doesn't scrap the electoral college, it modifies the way it is awarded. Very interesting.

http://mitsloan.mit.edu/newsroom/2008-barnett .php

moonikins, thanks for an interesting read!

I enjoyed that article very much. You hear a lot of people wanting to get rid of the electoral college. I've waffled back and forth on the issue. I understand why our founding fathers set up the electoral system and I think it does benefit our country. I think this proposed system is even better. The way it is set up, the candidates couldn't just blow off states they think are safe. They'd have to run an entirely different type of campaign.

Okay, I've got an application for the mail ballot... I have a question, where do I get 2 witnesses and a notary for it? Are witnesses people I know, like family? Where do I get notary?

Your county elections office? Also your bank generally has a notary on staff. Should also be able to provide witnesses to your signature, if you are unable to go to your county elections office. Call either first to confirm. :)

Car dealerships usually have notaries as does the BMV. There shouldn't be much of a fee to have it notarized. Just about any legal firm would have them as well.

You may need to sign in front of the witnesses.

Call around ... lots of places have notaries (even mailbox services and the UPS store.) Banks, law offices, etc. Look under Notary in the phone book.

Your witnesses can be any sane person over 18.

I am pleased to announce that I just voted, and my ballot is in the mail.

And my wonderful DH's ballot is being sent Priority Mail to Iraq so he can vote, too.

Your witnesses can be any sane person over 18.

Over 18, probably not sane. Guess you'll have to ask someone else.

Okay, thanks guys. I'm going to the bank tomorrow.

What a dust up about ACORN!  We all want to make sure our votes are counted and that the count is honest.  I finally found a balanced article that explains the issue completely.  It's rather long, but well worth the read.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/us/politics /11acorn.html?em