How absurd is it that we have allowed only one day - during the traditional “work week” - when too many employees cannot get the day off and may not be able to complete the voting process during an allotted lunch hour or break time?
Third word nations have held elections that span several days, including weekends, so as to allow for as many possible of the eligible citizenry to be able to cast their vote in elections. So if countries emulating the “demoncratic process” can show that sort of thoroughness in creating the greatest possible opportunity for all of the people to be able to make their voice heard - why not the country that is supposed to be the prototype for Democracy?
So I have been extremely pleased to see the following stattistics as reported by USA Today recently:
In person:
• 34 states allow people to vote in person before Election Day. 31 don’t require an excuse; 3 states and the District of Columbia do.
• 16 states do not allow early or in-person absentee voting.
By mail:
• 28 states allow no-excuse absentee voting by mail.
• 22 states and the District of Columbia require an excuse to vote absentee by mail.
Source: Early Voting Information Center at Reed College
So we still have a ways to go, but we have come a long way to resolving the inequalities in our democratic process. Now, make sure that you take advantage of what is being offered. Get to the polls. Can’t get off work? Go this Saturday. Go online to find out where you can vote in your county during the “early voting” period. (September 30th through November 3rd).
GET OUT AND VOTE!
-Deborah Adler
©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.
©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.
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