Voting by absentee ballot is usually a lonely experience, but not last November!
I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, and late last August, as I was walking to the grocery store, I noticed the neighbourhood drag was closed to traffic for one of the city's summer street festivals. I wandered over to browse the numerous booths selling this and that craft or cause, when what should I see? Team Obama had set up a table!
I made a beeline to the five or six volunteers at the table to express my solidarity, and was greeted warmly. Of course, as soon as I announced I was an American citizen, several clipboards were thrust at me simultaneously, but I explained that I was already registered to vote and had even voted in my primary.
It was wonderful to talk enthusiastically about the election with other voters, but the best part was when I told them how happy I was that since my state, North Carolina, was in play this election, my vote finally had some weight. The gang cheered. Not only that, one of the volunteers at the booth was from NC! She expressed the same sentiment and I left to do my shopping feeling even more hopeful of success in November.
THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press Secretary_____________________________________January 21, 2009MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIESSUBJECT: Transparency and Open GovernmentMy Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.Government should be transparent. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing. Information maintained by the Federal Government is a national asset. My Administration will take appropriate action, consistent with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use. Executive departments and agencies should harness new technologies to put information about their operations and decisions online and readily available to the public. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public feedback to identify information of greatest use to the public.Government should be participatory. Pubic engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions. Knowledge is widely dispersed in society, and public officials benefit from having access to that dispersed knowledge. Executive departments and agencies should offer Americans increased opportunities to participate in policymaking and to provide their Government with the benefits of their collective expertise and information. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public input on how we can increase and improve opportunities for public participation in Government.Government should be collaborative. Collaboration actively engages Americans in the work of their Government. Executive departments and agencies should use innovative tools, methods, and systems to cooperate among themselves, across all levels of Government, and with nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals in the private sector. Executive departments and agencies should solicit public feedback to assess and improve their level of collaboration and to identify new opportunities for cooperation.I direct the Chief Technology Officer, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Administrator of General Services, to coordinate the development by appropriate executive departments and agencies, within 120 days, of recommendations for an Open Government Directive, to be issued by the Director of OMB, that instructs executive departments and agencies to take specific actions implementing the pinciples set forth in this memorandum. The independent agencies should comply with the Open Government Directive.This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.This memorandum shall be published in the Federal Register.BARACK OBAMA# # #
source: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1460623847
also see THE WHITE HOUSEhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/
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Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss is a few points from Democrat Jim Martin for U.S. Senate in current polling in the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff race. Senate Runoff in 35 Language Translations. Runoff election to be held Tuesday, 2 DEC 2008.
Any help you can give polling voters is greatly appreciated. Democrats want to win this race!
The more Democratic Senators in office the easier it will be for President Elect Obama's economic policies to be implemented without a chance of a partisan filibuster.
REGISTERED GEORGIA VOTERS ARE REQUESTED TO VOTE DEMOCRAT
To register, contact Geneve [ gbergeron@martinvictory.com ] or call 815.252.9684
Ted, Vote Builder Administrator [ techsupport@georgiademocrat.org ] or call 678.278.2103
Georgia Voting Locations [ PDF ]
Want to vote - call 404.748.2754. A Jim Martin for U.S. Senate volunteer will be happy to hand-deliver an absentee ballot application to you home or office.
Obamagelicals are requested to distribute this message to friends within the Obama groups and to other individuals you feel comfortable asking to help on your mailing list.
Thanks - David Apperson
GEORGIA SENATE RUNOFF SEARCH QUERIES Altavista | Google | Lycos | MSN | Yahoo
Governor Howard Dean returned to the great state of New Hampshire today to rally students at UNH – Durham. UNH – Durham is the largest university in the state of New Hampshire, so the student population has the potential to play a deciding factor in this upcoming election. With early voting over, students in New Hampshire can still register and vote on Election Day through same day registration. Governor Dean encouraged all the students in attendance to make their voice heard by showing up and registering to vote.
Also appearing at the event were two young women who recently graduated from college themselves – Molly Shaheen (Jeanne Shaheen’s daughter) and Kathleen Shea-Porter (Carol Shea-Porter’s daughter). Governor Dean urged students to not just vote for Senator Obama, but to vote for the whole Democratic ticket, all the way down including former Governor Shaheen and Congresswoman Shea-Porter. Barack will need help as President, and we need to keep New Hampshire blue to give him the Senators and Congressmen he will need to get our country back on track.
Dean told the students assembled that they were taking part in a historic election – one that will witness a passing of the torch -
In many ways this election is similar to the 1960 election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Kennedy was running on a promise of hope and change while Nixon was running as the status quo…and we all know what happened in that election and Kennedy’s historic inauguration.
Dean wrapped up by reminding students what a great country we live in and urging the UNH students to knock on doors and make phone calls and do everything they can to help the Democrats win. You can help too. Find your local office. Sign up to Get Out The Vote. This is OUR TIME.
I have a writing assignment and I need to interview someone who has been volunteering in Florida for this election.
Jeffrey Wright, an actor in films such as "W", Casino Royale, Syriana, Cadillac Records and The Manchurian Candidate, will be in Nashua and Manchester this Saturday, meeting Granite Staters to hear about the issues on their mind this election and speak about his support of Sen. Obama.
Wright is no stranger to politics. A native of our nation's capitol, Washington, D.C., Wright studied Political Science as well as acting while attending Amherst College.
Wright will encourage all eligible voters to participate in this historic election and bring about the change we need by voting for Barack Obama and Democrats up and down the ticket.
This is a great opportunity to get your friends who are undecided or unregistered involved in the political process. If you have time between knocking on doors and calling your neighbors this weekend, join us for a block party in Manchester or a meet and greet in Nashua this Saturday.
The NRA is endorsing McCain based upon his voting record concerning the right ot bear arms. NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre has said:"He's cast more than 60 votes in the Senate in support of the Second Amendment".
Located here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081009/ap_on_el_pr/nra_mccain
How many of us choose our political candidates based solely on one issue? This sort of filtration is hazardous. Failing to take in the bigger picture of a candidate's agenda can lead to harsh consequences in the future. What good is it to be able to buy an automatic if you can't afford the bullets?
So I got my sister to register to vote. That's one more for Obama/Biden!
On a sad note I just found out my cool aunt is voting for McCain. She's now off the cool aunt list and onto the i-can't-believe-she's-voting-for-McCain aunt list.
Let's hope none of my other aunts are going red.
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. ~Chinese Proverb
Please take any measures needed to ensure that all of our votes are counted this time around...
1. If you have moved since the last time you voted, find your voter registration card with your new address and take it to the polls with you. If you can't find your card, request a copy from your election office as soon as possible (usually takes a week to mail to you, but could take longer approaching the election, so please act now).
2. Take your voter registration card to the precinct with you, even if you haven't moved.
3. If you have or will move within 60 days prior to the election, call your election office and confirm that you will be able to cast a regular ballot (as opposed to a provisional ballot) on election day and confirm your voting location. Write down the name and job title of the person who confirms your status and take that to the precinct with you.
4. Call the local election office to confirm the location of your polling place, even if you haven't moved. Don't assume you vote at the same place you voted last time. Don't even assume you vote at the place indicated on your voter registration card. Call and confirm.
5. Do not wear anything with a candidate's name, likeness, or political affiliation on it (including buttons) to the precint. Do not carry anything into the precinct in your hands with a candidate's name on it. Most states prohibit campaigning in, at, or near the precinct so just play it safe. (Note, some counties even have rules concerning campaign stickers on your car so be prepared to park down the street and walk.)
6. Bring two forms of identification that show your current address with you, including your driver's license or state issued identification card even if not required by your state. A second identification for many states would include a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing your name and address. I also carry my social security card with me, just in case.
7. Do not accept a provisional ballot without exerting your right to cast a regular ballot. If they say you are at the wrong precinct, request that a precinct official write down the address of the correct precinct and sign their name and position, then take that with you to the correct precinct. Since you will have already confirmed your registration and polling place, and will have adequate identification with you, this should not be an issue, right?
8. Vote on your way to work to avoid long lines after work. Let your boss know you may be late.
9. If you are in line at poll closing time, don't leave until you cast your vote. If you are in this situation, make sure you do everything you can to vote. If it is wide spread there will be a lawsuit defending your right to have your vote counted, but you have to stay in line until you get to vote or it's a mute point.
10. If you don't understand any aspect of the voting procedure, ask a precinct worker for clarification.
11. Confirm that you have selected the right candidate before you submit your vote. Some prior ballots have caused confusion as to which hole to punch or which button to press for which candidate. If you have any uncertainty, ask a precinct worker to clarify before you submit your vote.
12. Don't be intimidated by any police presence at or near the precinct. If you see anyone other than precinct officials asking people for identification, immediately call 1-866-OURVOTE and/or 1-866-MYVOTE1 to report this.
13. Get a receipt for your vote. In case your precinct doesn't have a system for providing a printout of your vote, and even if casting a paper ballot, bring a statement with you showing your name, the date, last 4 digits of your social security number, and how you are voting. Ask an election official to witness you signing and dating this statement by having them sign and date it after you vote.
14. If you have a prior or current conviction, that does not automatically deprive you of the right to vote. Check your state's guidelines at http://www.declareyourself.com/voting_faq/state_by_state_info_2.html.
15. If you have not registered yet, it may not be too late. Check your state's guidelines at http://www.declareyourself.com/voting_faq/state_by_state_info_2.html.
16. If you will be voting by absentee ballot, check your state's guidelines at http://www.longdistancevoter.org/absentee_ballot_deadlines, click the link for your state and make a commitment to request your absentee ballot within the next 24 hours. Once received, make a commitment to get it back in the mail within 24 hours. And if you're anything like me, mail it back certified mail/return receipt requested so you can know for sure it was received.
17. Follow the motto of the US Mail...neither rain, sleet, snow, hail....NOR ATTEMPTS TO DISENFRANCHISE ME...will stop me from casting my vote...in other words, defy all odds to make sure you get to vote!
18. Call 1-866-MYVOTE1 and/or 1-866-OURVOTE if you encounter any voting irregularities, intimidation, broken voting machines, etc.
Please send this to everyone you know to help spread the word and ensure that all of our votes are counted this time. If you know anyone who'd like to be added to the "Count Down 2 Change" email list, have them send an email stating "ADD ME" to countdown2change@bbrbr.com.
Join BBRBR's teleconference this Wednesday, October 8th, at 9 p.m. eastern as we debunk the Town Hall Presidential Debate on our Count Down 2 Change series, hosted by Randy Gill. For details on how to call in, go to http://www.bbrbr.com or http://www.myspace.com/bbrbr .
For my first post I have this to say: VOTE OBAMA! And if you are not registered to vote, get out and do that now! Every single vote counts so please do put the effort into getting yourself registered. It's important! And it's not that hard. Find out more here: http://www.rockthevote.com/
McCain is acting like Bush once again and yet he still wonders why he is going to lose when he lies and acts so cynically and pretends that he cares about us when he will do anything, any old trick to get to get himself elected, but not one new idea of how to make this a better country.
It is up to us Obama people to get the truth out to Everyone about these lies, and present Obamas empowering message of change for the betterment of this country and all Americans!
last night we worked registerign new young voters, andthey were so full of excitment to vote this year, it is really thrilling and excitting to see the hope, and and energy that these kids bring!
COME ON OUT AND BARACK THE VOTE!!!
Come join us in New Smyrna Beach for a Barack the Vote party in Pettis Park on Sunday Oct. 5th!
Live Music, Softball Game, Fun, and Refreshments!
Take US1 in NSB to Mary Ave. Go west on Mary 6 blocks to 800 Mary Ave.
This may be your last chance to get registered to vote before the October 6th deadline so come on in and register!
This is the most rewarding and exciting volunteer work I have ever done! I was contacted by the local Democratic party to participate. After one 2 hour shift in a mall, I was so enthusiastic that I went out to the local beach pavillion and set up! Back to the mall again. Back to a beach event! I just wish I had more days to do this! I highly recommend getting out there and making the last days count!
Over 80% of new voters were Democrats...and the youngest voters were so excited!
Just a few days left, make them count!
Well, I discovered why I was dropped from the Ventura County voter rolls… It was “believed” that I had moved out of the precinct because I changed my home telephone number to a new, unlisted number on July 31. It’s funny though that over the past 25+ years that I have been voting, through all of my many moves and telephone number changes, even a party affiliation change, I have NEVER been dropped from the voter rolls until this election.I’m not a black helicopter, conspiracy theorist by any means, but as my father used to say, this just seems a little hinkey.Yes, I have reregistered, but I also went out and found more information about this on the U.S.PIRG web site at http://tinyurl.com/vanishingvoters:
[highlighted and underlined items in article are mine]-----Vanishing Voters: Why Registered Voters Drop Off the Rolls09/24/2008Executive SummaryIn 1993, Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Its primary purpose was to open up the voter registration process and enhance democratic participation. The law had several aims, but among them was protecting Americans from being carelessly or purposefully excluded from voting by being improperly dropped from voting rolls.Specifically, the NVRA established two clear and simple directives regarding the maintenance of voter rolls:1. Election administrators may systematically remove ineligible voters from voter rolls at any time except within 90 days of a federal election.2. Election administrators must notify voters that they will be dropped from the rolls if the administrators believe that the voters have moved to another precinct.Fifteen years after enactment of the NVRA, however, many states continue to appear unaware of the federal rules regarding voter roll purges. A survey of state laws and election officials shows that, on the eve of the 2008 general election, voters across the country do not appear to enjoy the important voter protection provisions afforded by the NVRA.Many states seem unaware of the federal rules against systematic voter list maintenance within 90 days of a federal election as evidenced by the following three findings:1. Nineteen states do not have laws, regulations or systems in place to properly implement the NVRA's 90-day ban on voter list maintenance. There is no apparent pattern to the states that lack these protections, and they cross both political and geographic boundaries.2. Nine states claim that there is no deadline beyond which voters cannot be systematically dropped from the rolls, a direct contradiction of the terms of the NVRA.3. Four states have their own deadlines written into state law -- all of which are less than the federally mandated 90 days.In addition, we found that 11 states do not have the proper systems in place for notifying voters who have been removed from the rolls if they are believed* to have moved out of the precinct.-----*believed: They don’t need ACTUAL PROOF. They just need to “believe” that you have moved out of the precinct. Oh, and I was never notified that I was dropped from the rolls.So again, I ask all of you to verify your voter registration status, and be sure to tell your family and friends to do the same.Do a Google search on: how can I find out if I am registered to vote in [insert your state here]Or go to:National:http://www.voteforchange.com
Ventura County, California voters go here:http://recorder.countyofventura.org/elections.htmCalifornia voters go here for your county: http://www.calvoter.org/voter/government/ceo.html
Julia.
INCIDENT ONE: I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!
These two separate responses caught me unawares! First, I meet a very friendly elderly lady (79 years old she told me) pushing her dog in what used to be a toddler's pushing trolley or cart. We exchange views on how Chihuahua dogs react to strangers and how cute they can be! I finally got the chance to ask her if she was registered to vote and to share with me who she would vote for. She replied: "I am not registered, no not yet!" I went on to ask, "If you were registered, who would you vote for?" She answered with a warm and inviting smile: "I would vote for Obama of course! I want CHANGE! But, I don't care to vote! I will pray hard that those who vote, should vote for Obama! I begged and said please, go and register to vote! Why are you not interested in voting. She said: "Let me tell you something! It began a very very long time ago when as a single mother, I could not find anyone to watch my children, and I did not have enough money to pay babysitters, I told myself that I do not go voting, and all my life I have never voted!" I just shook my head with regret, and said to her: "Do Obama some favor and change your mind". It seemed it went in through one ear and out through the other ear as we parted our ways!
Question: If you were in my shoes, what would you have done to win this vote for Obama?
