Two things to do in this post:
- Read the comic book (seriously) Steal Back Your Vote by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Greg Palast. You can make a donation or you can download the pdf for free. Please make a donation if you can.
- Read the Rolling Stone Magazine Article: Block the Vote by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Greg Palast.
Why you should do them:
Enough votes were blocked, thrown away or ignored in the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections to have made a difference in the outcomes. Most of us remember Florida and the “hanging chad” debacle, but most people don’t know how many votes were thrown out or not counted in 2004.
The truth is millions of votes were not counted and millions of people’s civil rights were violated. To protect our democracy we must protect our right to vote. That includes making sure every legally registered voter’s vote is counted.
This is a non-partisan problem. It does not matter if you’re a Republican or a Democrat or other party affiliation. Your vote can be discounted or thrown in the trash for some very nonsensical reasons that are technically legal.
If you are poor, don’t have a drivers’ license or other state-issued or federal-issued ID, are elderly, in the military, or a minority, your right to vote may be challenged at your precinct on election day far more often than a middle to upper class white voter. If you are a legally registered voter, this is a violation of your civil rights.
If you are in the military and have to vote absentee because of an active duty assignment away from home, your vote may not be counted if mailed in. Make sure you do everything you can to get your vote in through the proper channels as early as possible. Vote early in person if you can. Have a family member or friend hand-deliver your ballot envelope to the absentee polling place if you can’t. You may be required to include a photocopy of your military ID card with your absentee ballot. Get it copied and include it. Follow all instructions to the letter.
Avoid problems, get a state-issued picture ID card. You will need to acquire an accepted picture ID card prior to voting. You can usually get one at your local department of motor vehicles even if you don’t drive. They can issue you an ID only license. You will need your birth certificate and two current utility bills or college ID card to show your current address to get a driver’s license ID card in the State of Louisiana. Call the DMV prior to going and waiting in line for your particular state’s requirements to get an ID. It will cost some money and they can require cash or a money order, so ask how much and bring the required type of payment with you.
If your license or ID is expired, get it renewed before you go to vote. It may be rejected because it is expired. The same is true if you are using your passport as identification. If it is expired, either get another form of ID or get your passport renewed immediately.
When you registered to vote, you should have received a voter registration card. Bring it with you to the poll, too. This proves you are registered even if your name does not appear on the roll.
Don’t wait until election day to vote. Vote early when early voting begins in your area. You will find out if you have any problems then and can usually fix them before election day. Bring a friend or a couple of friends with you when you go to vote, whether early or on election day.
If challenged, you may be given a provisional ballot. Don’t accept one. You have civil rights to the following:
- Demand adjudication on the spot by the poll judges.
- Demand the supervisor of elections be called and your issue settled so you can vote unconditionally.
- If you find you’ve been caged or purged, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).
- If you voted early, be a volunteer advocate at heavy minority, military or elderly polling places and help those who may be challenged to keep their right to vote. Bring a copy of the Steal Back Your Vote comic book with you for reference.
The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. We as citizens must protect that right for every American.
2008 election, Civil Rights and Justice, Greg Palast, protect your vote, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voting rights
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:08 am
[...] Original post by On Being the Change I Wish to See [...]
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:29 am
this is great advice. i’m planning to do another voter-safety post right before the election, and will definitely link to this one. we’ve got shout loud and long and protect ourselves against creeping fascism!
October 25th, 2008 at 12:16 am
That’s right, Jackie, we need to get out the word about voter civil rights and make sure every vote cast by a registered voter counts.
October 29th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Dear Sherri -
Just hoping people will vote. So much discouragement in the country that lots are just giving up.
Maybe at the last minute we will get some enthusiasm.
Corinne Edwards´s last [type] ..A WOMAN WITHOUT A MAN – VA GRIDLOCK
October 29th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Everyone needs to vote and every vote needs to be counted. Thank you for reminding us about our rights as voters. I’m lucky – we have early voting here and I voted already.
October 30th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Not my country so won’t be voting, but agree entirely with your sentiments. Ensured my children have postal votes now they are away at University – and won’t occur to them to register locally! Having campaigned on behalf of people in countries where elections don’t happen, or are rigged, you tend to appreciate more what some of us have.
David Rogers´s last [type] ..How to Deal with Fear
November 1st, 2010 at 5:35 pm
David,
I think voter apathy is a big problem in the U.S. and maybe in other developed countries as well. I used to go home to New Orleans to vote when I was a student at LSU in Baton Rouge. I never missed an election because I was raised to make voting a very big priority and I took it seriously.
I think with our current problems, people have decided they had better wake up and pay attention. Their votes really count and who we elect will determine our future ability to compete in the global marketplace, let alone create jobs today.
November 1st, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Corinne and Michelle,
Many voters don’t know their rights. It’s important to not only know about the candidates you’re voting for, but your rights should someone challenge your right to vote. Most people don’t think that can happen, but it can and does in every single election though not at every precinct.
African Americans faced constant challenges to their right to vote for 90 years and are still intimidated by those who feel they can get away with it.
The wealthy land owners have always done their best to control who votes so they can control election outcomes and protect their interests. They hate it that most everyone is eligible to register to vote.
Discouraged or not, everyone needs to take their civic responsibilities seriously. It doesn’t matter if you’re enthusiastic, you still have to get out there and vote. With early voting so wide-spread, there is no excuse anymore for not voting.
November 1st, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Corinne,
I have to hope that the polls don’t accurately reflect voters under 35. Most polls are done by auto-dialing to land lines. 25% – 30% of younger voters don’t have a land line. They use their cell phones. A lot of renters also use only cell phones. People under 25 don’t even consider having a land line at all since they’ve had cell phones since they were allowed to have a phone of their own.
Maclatchy found that when cell phone only users were polled, the GOP advantage in the automated polls disappeared completely among likely voters. I love Nate Silver of fivethirtyeight.com, but his projections are only as good as his data sources, which are the poll results. The cell phone v land line choice has widened significantly since 2008.