Ann and I don’t go out much — but the other day, she was hankering for a burger. We have a little neighborhood joint that serves nothing but burgers, excellent fries, and some salads. You know, the kind of place that is papered with ads from local bands and musicians. The waitstaff are mostly young, tatooed, and wearing jeans and slouchy knit hats, in true Portland style.
After an excellent meal, my sister bit the bullet and asked the twenty-something man serving us, “Pardon me, are you registered to vote?” His eyes got big and he replied, “Why yes, yes, I am! I noticed your Bernie Sanders button.” He went on to say that he was pretty sure that the people he knew his age were, too...he wasn’t sure about some of the younger ones. But he was going to ask them — because current events being what they are, the young people are the ones who are very concerned about the world and our nation and the mess which they will inherit. This young man did not know about Daily Kos — or 90 for 90 — but we clued him in to both — and I hope he has checked out both websites.
Of course, voting and registering are a little different here in Oregon — and so sensible! We vote by mail — which means everybody gets their ballot in the mail a couple weeks or more before an election. We get to fill out our ballots at our leisure (no need to take time off from work!) and either mail them in or drop them off at any number of convenient ballot box locations, including every public library. This is so simple, with our paper ballots a paper trail is assured. Moreover, we can register to vote online. Anyone renewing their driver’s license or Oregon I.D. is going to be asked if they are registered and given a form with which to register if they are not. I wish the whole country handled things like we do — it would make for a smoother, more inclusive, less expensive, and more secure process for everyone.
Lately, have you asked anyone if they are registered to vote? If so, how did it go? How is voting and registration handled where you live? Have you ever helped anyone get registered to vote?
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