My wife and I took the opportunity to select our next group of leaders.
Yes, we voted already. The Carver County election judges were very professional in that the steps were easy to understand, and we felt confident that our votes counted and were secure.
The first step is the decision to vote. For the good of our county, state, and country, it is your obligation to vote or forever hold your peace. Minnesota consistently leads the nation in voter turnout at 78%.
If you decide to tackle the first step, then #2 is to find out where to vote based on residency and get registered. One can usually register to vote on the day of the election. Proof of your residency is the only barrier to vote. A picture I.D., property tax statement, or utility bill is proof.
According to the Secretary of State web site, you must be 18 years of age to vote and you may vote if you have a criminal record. Any felony sentence must have been completed. You can register to vote if you are homeless. One would swear an oath that you sleep in a certain spot or bring a resident that you may live with to swear an oath that you live there.
We filled out a short form with a minimum of information, handed it to a polling judge and they checked for registration. Within 30 seconds we were handed a ballot, two minutes to vote in a private cubicle, and we placed the ballot in an envelope. We sealed it, handed it to a judge, they initialed the envelope, and then we put the initialed envelope in another envelope and sealed it. It was then placed in a secure place to be counted on election day. The joy of completing our civic duty gave us a warm feeling and everyone seemed to be smiling. We left with the standard “I voted” sticker attached to our coats.
There has been tremendous controversy over fraud, rigging, and mis-counts. The last election brought more than 50 cases to the courts to investigate these charges. All were dismissed as unfounded or false. Recounts proved nothing. Voting machines passed their investigations. With no evidence of wrongdoing, I must conclude that our election system is safe, honest, and above all SECURE. Get the joy. Please vote!
JC
