I filled out my absentee ballot this morning! I miss the sticker though :(
Ask the Readers: Will You Vote This Election? (Chance to Win $20!)
Photo: Sarah Nichols
**Congrats to our winners!**
- Comment from Belinda - I mailed in my absentee ballot a couple of weeks ago.
- Tweet from @1bets1 - I always vote! This election we have county officials up for office
- Facebook user "Like" from Danyell Grissom
What are you doing this November? Could voting be in your plans? With so much riding on the next election, many people are gearing up. Ads are getting more tense, and the news stations are devoting most of their hours to discussing the strategies behind the parties.
Are you planning on voting in this November's midterm election? Do you have your eye on helping to choose the next local mayor, state governor or other elected official? Do you have hope that your vote will really matter this year? If you share your answer on whether you'll vote or not (and avoid any nasty political commentary), you'll be entered to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card! (And if you live outside the U.S. -- just tell us how you plan on being involved in your political community where you live.)
Please keep it civil! All inappropriate comments will be deleted. Thank you.
Win one of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards
We're doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook "Likes", and another one for random tweets.
How to Enter:
- Post your answer in the comments below,
- Go to our Facebook page, "Like" us, then "Like" the update mentioning this giveaway (you can comment, as well — but you don't have to for entry.)
- Tweet your answer. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it.
If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.
Giveaway Rules:
- Contest ends Monday, October 25th at 11:59 pm CST. Winners will be announced after October 25th on the original post and via Twitter. Winners will also be contacted via email and Twitter Direct Message.
- You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
- Only tweets that contain both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" will be entered. (Otherwise, we won't see it.)
- Only those who have "Liked" both our Facebook page and the contest update will be entered.
Good Luck!
Best of Wise Bread
i vote in every election. If I don't, the two party system may never end. I don't try to influence other people, just do my part.
I am definitely planning on voting. I'll also be bringing my small children with me so they can start learning from early age the power of voting. With as close as many elections have been in recent years, I believe every vote counts. Plenty of people around the world don't have the opportunity to vote and I don't take this privilege lightly!
I plan to vote. Voting in our state is done by mail now, which is nice. The politicians have been smearing each other for months. It's funny when a politician appears at the end of one smear ad saying "My name is X and I approved this message," and then that is immediately followed by a smear ad from the other side vilifying that same person.
I will not be voting, because the probability that my vote will change the outcome of any election, even small local ones, is virtually nil.
I'll definitely vote and put a sign or two in my yard for my preferred candidates. Even if I have to pay for my signs at my local party headquarters, it's a donation and an investment I'm willing to make toward the return I expect from my candidates' laws and policies.
I already voted. That's the beauty of mail in ballots (of course, I would love to actually go to a polling place and vote once in my life).
Absolutely I will vote. I always try to remember to vote especially in the local elections since so many of our family friends run for office (including my husband). I always feel it is a privilege and an honor to vote, I hate to miss out.
Over the 40-some years I've been registered, I missed one primary when I was stationed overseas. I'll use early voting this year to reduce the lines.
I'm definitely voting this year, although I seriously doubt my candidates will win. Oh well, at least they have MY support.
I plan to vote, and I encourage all voters to thoroughly research the candidates before going to the polls. Don't just rely on ads. Think for yourself!
I'm definitely voting in this election. For me it is not about political parties; California desperately needs to be reformed and I am voting for who I feel will do the better job. Also, I am NOT re-electing anyone who is currently in office because they've all had their turn and it's time to give someone else a chance to try something else--apparently what they're doing isn't working.
Oh yeah! I'm voting in the Sestak vs. Toomey race. Not to mention Dan "Tunnel to Nowhere" Onorato vs. Tom Corbett for PA State Governor. It's an interesting political year in PA!
I always vote at every election so that way I can have the right to tell people, "I told you so" when it doesn't work out since most people just vote for the sake of voting and don't research the issues and people up for election.
Of course I'm going to vote and every person reading this blog should say the same. If you don't vote, then you have no right to criticize any elected poplitician. This is your voice on issues and candidates - local, state, and federal.
I can't imagine anyone opting out of voting this time around! I also don't understand how anyone could be "undecided" on any of the people or issues at stake. I've never seen such a clear cut difference in beliefs/policy.
I certainly will be voting. What budget conscious citizen won't be voting! This time we need "real change", someone that listens to the people! I feel it is a privilege to vote, and a commitment to future generations. Pip
Absolutely I will be voting. This is an especially important election for my state (Michigan) and we couldn't have more different candidates for governor. I am really looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
Of course I will vote in November. It's part of the obligation of being a free citizen of the United States. Freedom comes with responsibility!
It's pay to play - I'm always amazed at how many people love to complain about the government but don't vote!
So of course I'm voting - cause it matters that's why!
I'll be voting, if only to uphold my beliefs that the justice system should be free from political bent. I live in Iowa, where three of the state justices are up for a renewal vote. Many seek to punish them for being "activist" after passing the judgement that it is unconstitutional to ban gay marriage. Rather than collecting campaign contributions that may weaken the freedom of the justice system, they are taking the high road and allowing the people to speak on their behalf. :) I always love a good cause.
By all means.
It may not be 100% informed, but I know enough to know what I want to do.
Anyone that says they won't should be ashamed of themselves.....and also forfeit their right to complain about just about anything in this country until they decide to vote!
I vote in every major election, and this year I am researching the candidates. IL has had to many problems with its elected officials for people to sit back and not participate.
Whether or not I am "enthusiastic" about the candidates running, I vote in every election. These elected leaders make the decisions that affect my life every day, and I absolutely want a say in that. Considering the hardships that women endured to be allowed to vote, I do not take it for granted.
I've voted in every election since I turned 18. No sense it messing with my perfect record. I'll stop to vote on my way to work on election day!
If you don't vote you can't complain and I don't see not complaining about something that's being done so I guess I'll just have to vote.
I used to vote by absentee....but now it has become a lesson for my kids. I bring them in with me and they learn that it is something that "all" adults get to do. It has occassionally been a somewhat embarrassing process. My son who was Kindergarten age at the time of the presidential election learned about it in school....and he kept loudly announcing who HE was going to vote for.
Of course I'll be voting, I haven't missed an election since being eligible to vote at 18! Though, I'll admit, I've been more excited about elections than this one.
Absolutely! I feel it is my responsibility and the least I can do for all of the freedoms I enjoy as a citizen of this country. Thanks for the giveaway!
I'll be voting, and will take my five year old with me. And if she asks why I vote, I will tell her that too many people fought and suffered not that long ago, so that we have this right. And anyone who claims that their vote doesn't matter needs to remember how very much it mattered to those who had to fight for the right to cast a ballot. Thanks for letting me vent!
I will definitely be voting! Oregon has a hotly contested governor's race plus, as usual, many ballot measures, that deserve much attention.
Absolutely! It's our civic duty for one thing, but it's also a crucial election -- a nationwide referendum on the current direction of our country. I intend to make my voice heard so those who are meant to represent us know where I stand on the critical issues our country faces right now.
Of course I'm voting! One of the local measures would shut down several large puppy mills in the area, so I need to go cast my vote for that.
I spent 12 years in uniform so yes, I will be voting. If people are willing to fight and die for our right to participate in democracy then the least we can do is show up on election days.
Christine
dazed1821@aol.com
Absolutely-- Going to the early voting location this week with my husband. Florida needs all voters to be informed, and to keep out the crooks--LOL!
I also believe that the official polls are vastly inaccurate this year, as many people, especially the young, no longer have land lines, and therefore are not being contacted or counted for their opinions......we'll see!
I'm voting! I always vote. This election we have local politics, which could directly affect my job.
Yes, 3rd party from now on, because it's a vote to divide lobbyists (the ONLY possible real change). Polar parties have ruled long enough, it must end. No more "I’ll pick the opposite of something just because you picked the other". It’s all money people, lobbyists and bankers, and we are at their mercy as a country.
I normally would have, but I just moved and didn't register to vote here until it was too late for this ballot. Next year for sure though, and I usually do!
I will definitely be voting in this election. In other countries, people risk their lives in order to be able to cast a ballot. I'd better not ever take this freedom for granted.
I'm not voting because I think it would be irresponsible to vote without being more knowledgeable about the issues and candidates.
I vote in every election and this year is no exception. I feel it's my duty to help choose the best leaders for my city, county, state, and country.
Every election doesn't go my way but I feel good knowing I participated in the process.
Yes. We have several important seats in contention this midterm in our state. I plan to vote some to stay, some to change.
I'll be voting.
My dad is a soon to be retired government and history teacher at a highschool - he'd have a fit of truly staggering heights if my brother and I (and now, by extension, our spouses) didn't get our respective assets to the polls.
And you don't want to know how bad it gets if we can't clearly outline and argue our political stance at the dinner table. No room for simply going down your parties side and blindly ticking off names. My older brother tried that once....
Apparently, you CAN still be made to stand in the corner during Thanksgiving dinner as an adult.
