A Public Service Announcement!

*THIS IS MY BLOG POST!  This is not intended to be a political debate so I appreciate your restraint in posting any partisan comments on this page, although I welcome your private messages.

Today, I want to talk about my efforts during the next few weeks. As we are inundated with political ads every where we look, I have come to realize that most people, like 95%, already know who they are voting for in this election. 

This means that no ads, articles, emails, tweets, press conferences, debates, or phone calls are going to change their minds. 

So, I have been thinking about what I can do to make election day be real and not the cluster that we are being told it is going to be. 

My decision is simple…make sure people vote. Period. Vote by mail or vote in person, whatever is best and safest for you. I minored in political science and have never missed a voting opportunity. However, my life is different now…I have the responsibility of caring for my parents…elderly parents and a Mom who is not well. So, we will vote by mail. 

We have ordered our ballots, as required. We have provided the necessary documentation to make sure we are legitimate voters. Now, we are waiting for our ballots. My parents do not want to vote right away…they want to wait, to make sure there are no changes on the ballot. That happened with the primaries in Kentucky and they had already voted. Fair enough. They can wait. However, I have given them the deadline of October 15. At that time, I will mail their ballots. 

Last night, we talked about maybe driving to the Board of Elections to drop it off in a collection box if that is set up. These are people who do not take their privilege to vote lightly. If they want to take a “road trip” to drop off their ballots in person, we’ll do it.

I hesitated to order the absentee ballot for myself because I love voting in person…I’ve worked the polls and I really love the process. However, I didn’t want to risk the chance to vote by requesting a late ballot and I know for a fact (as a previous poll worker) that I would have to do a provisional ballot since I would be flagged as an absentee voter. That is not what I want to do. *If you request and absentee ballot, and you decide to go in person, your name is flagged and you will have to vote a provisional ballot (counted later) after they make sure you have not already mailed in a ballot.  

Be aware that there are some scams going around telling people that they can vote online, via text, and these ARE NOT legal ways to vote.

Whatever drop off method we use…mailing our ballots by October 15 or driving to the Board of Elections for the field trip, I will vote once and will vote absentee. 

So, today, I’m encouraging everyone to do these things:

•  Confirm your voter registration. You can go online to check your registration. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.  Check out this easy way to confirm:  Iwillvote.com
•  Verify your voting location. This may not be available at this time, but make sure you know where you need to vote. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
• If you choose to vote by mail, be sure to provide the correct amount of postage and make sure you give the post office two weeks to get the ballot to the Board of Elections.  Yes, sounds extreme but don’t take it for granted. They will be swamped. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
• If you are voting in person, be safe. Wear your mask! Protect those who are working the polls as well as yourself. Use the hand sanitizer they have scattered around or take your own. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
• I know for some people, getting to the polls could be a challenge. Feel free to contact me if you need a ride or you know someone who may need a ride. I’ll have my car gassed up and ready to take folks in the Louisville area where they need to go! Consider doing the same…maybe you have neighbors or friends that could use the help. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. *If you want to vote early, I'm available for that help too!

Finally, know that this is my plea to you to VOTE! Regardless of your candidate, do not be apathetic. Be kind to those who will be working that day and those who will be enforcing the polling place rules. Stay healthy and safe! 

Regardless of the outcome, we need to come together. Our future depends on it.