OT: Register to Vote

C40_guy · #1 08-12-2018, 07:57 PM

In Massachusetts, you have until this Wednesday, August 15 to register online to vote. Check your status and register here -

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

For other states use this link -

https://www.headcount.org/verify-voter-registration/

Ask three friends if they're registered to vote. Ask them to ask three friends....

pbarry · #2 08-12-2018, 08:41 PM

Good on you for the thread!

As citizens, it's our duty to vote.

C40_guy · #3 08-12-2018, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbarry

Good on you for the thread!

As citizens, it's our duty to vote.

Thanks!

Please copy and share in your other communities...

zmudshark · #4 08-12-2018, 08:48 PM

Vote absentee, so there is a paper trail, if your state allows it.

eddief · #5 08-12-2018, 10:25 PM

58 percent of eligible voters went to the polls during the 2016 election = a rather large silent minority.

A local radio guy here used to say if you don't like the news then go out and make some of your own.

Bradford · #6 08-12-2018, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmudshark

Vote absentee, so there is a paper trail, if your state allows it.

Colorado has a great system. They mail me a paper ballot about 3 weeks before the election, I have time to look up all the ballot initiatives and figure out my vote, then I can mail it back or drop it off in a box in the police station parking lot. And, I get a paper trail.

If your state doesn't make it this easy, make sure you register and be ready to vote.

gasman · #7 08-12-2018, 11:55 PM

Oregon is completely vote by mail, there haven’t been polling sites for years.

No matter your politics we should all vote.

I know this may be difficult but let’s do avoid making this thread partisan. I have my beliefs and you have yours and we aren’t going to change each other’s mind on a bike forum.

smontanaro · #8 08-13-2018, 04:49 AM

Double-check to make sure you're registered. My son recently moved from Illinois to Missouri, registered, thought everything was good, then discovered they didn't accept his ID until after the fact (which was still his IL DL). He missed the primaries and will have some more work to do to be able to vote in November.

Bruce K · #9 08-13-2018, 05:04 AM

I would love it if one of our Australian members would check in on this.

I believe that on Election Day all bout essential businesses are closed and everyone is required to vote, with stiff penalties if you don’t.

That’s one wY to ensure that the government represents the populace.

Regardless, everyone SHOuLD register and vote.

BK

Llewellyn · #10 08-13-2018, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce K

I would love it if one of our Australian members would check in on this.

I believe that on Election Day all bout essential businesses are closed and everyone is required to vote, with stiff penalties if you don’t.

That’s one wY to ensure that the government represents the populace.

Regardless, everyone SHOuLD register and vote.

BK

Yes and no. Elections are always held on Saturday and it's business as usual for everything - businesses, cafes, sporting events etc. People just have to make time to go and vote or do an absentee vote if they can't do it in person. Voting is compulsory but the fines for not voting are only $20 for first timers or $50 for a repeat offence (unless you have a "valid" reason for not voting). It's compulsory for anyone over the age of 18 to enrol to vote but that doesn't guarantee they all do. I think the estimate is that about 500,000 people who are eligible to vote haven't enrolled - including one of my nephews.

oldpotatoe · #11 08-13-2018, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbarry

Good on you for the thread!

As citizens, it's our duty to vote.

Ought to be a requirement..no vote, get zinged some on your income tax filing.
What was the turnout in 2016? Something like 60%..terrible..I'm 'thinking' it'll be higher in 2018 and again in 2020...

PLUS ought to be on a WE or at least a national, no work holiday if on Tuesday..

bikinchris · #12 08-13-2018, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Ought to be a requirement..no vote, get zinged some on your income tax filing.
What was the turnout in 2016? Something like 60%..terrible..I'm 'thinking' it'll be higher in 2018 and again in 2020...

PLUS ought to be on a WE or at least a national, no work holiday if on Tuesday..

Actually, the turnout is worse than that. Only 60% of REGISTERED voters. A total of 137 million out of around 300 million.
Everyone should be registered to vote at 18 and should stay registered as long as they live there. I had to register for the draft why didn't that register me to vote at the same time?

I fear too man6 people are willing to let others decide for us to get a true picture of the vox populi.

And I also agree that voting should be a holiday.

smontanaro · #13 08-13-2018, 08:12 AM

On NPR this morning they were discussing politics in Hawaii. Apparently, the State Senate is 100% Democrat, the governor is a Democrat, and all but four seats in the House of Representatives are held by Democrats. The Republican running for Governor had to give up her House seat (I think that's what they said) to run. Though I'm a left-leaning voter, it seems like with no effective opposition party, it breeds complacency in the electorate (primary turnout in 2016 was 34.8% v 84.4% in 1959 and 70.7% as recently as 1986), and quite possibly make anti-democratic (small D) shenanigans more tempting.

Bruce K · #14 08-13-2018, 08:26 AM

Thanks for the clarification.

2 trips gets you a nice feel for that truly interesting place you live (plus an addiction to Footy) but not a complete understanding.

The last time we were there, the election was looming so lots of discussion about elections.

BK

Davist · #15 08-13-2018, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Ought to be a requirement..no vote, get zinged some on your income tax filing.
What was the turnout in 2016? Something like 60%..terrible..I'm 'thinking' it'll be higher in 2018 and again in 2020...

PLUS ought to be on a WE or at least a national, no work holiday if on Tuesday..

can nearly guarantee it'll be lower in '18, just b/c of off year. 58% of REGISTERED voters (so basically a little over half of a little under half, right?!), first step is something like a "motor voter" law.
I won't delve into IDs but do think it's a good idea as a general statement. My pet peeve is that if you're not registered in one of the 2 parties (I disagree with them and their interest in self perpetuation) you don't get to vote in primaries which also have local elections here in PA, which affects my daily life/the average person as much if not more than Federal/State... but yes, please vote!