I sent in my election ballot on Saturday. American citizens who live abroad are eligible to vote in the last place they lived in the US. Since my last address was in San Francisco, that's where I can vote. I started the registration process back in January (it has to be done each calendar year) and then Covid hit and the process slowed way down. The elections office was closed for a while. But I stuck with it and got registered. The person I corresponded with via e-mail was very responsive and helpful.
My ballot arrived about a week ago and I took a few days to read and re-read the instructions, making sure to mark the ballot correctly. I took it to the post office yesterday, so it's on its way. My politics are pretty well aligned with the district I vote in, so my vote won't really make much of a difference. But it's one more voice, and that's got to count for something.
Every little bit helps. I still don't know how I'll be able to vote from my bed.
ReplyDeleteYou can vote by mail, CHM. I just checked on line, and I think you still have time to request a mail-in ballot for voting in Virginia. Of all elections, this is the one that really counts.
DeleteThank you Sheila. I finaly was able to request a mail-in ballot online. I hope to get it on time. As I said many times, voting is not a right, it is a duty!
DeleteYes, your vote won't make a difference as I understand the system in the US, but sheer numbers can't be ignored in a moral sense.
ReplyDeleteEvery vote counts. Our district had been a Labour constituency for decades until 2017 when it switched sides. The margin was very small and I can't help thinking that our new MP is only there because of the complacency of some people who thought their vote wouldn't count.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right, Jean. Complacency is the ennemy as well as third party voters.
DeleteThank you, we really need a landslide to send a message to "He-who-must-not-be-named" and his followers.
ReplyDeleteYES!
DeleteMary
"My politics are pretty well aligned with the district I vote in, so my vote won't really make much of a difference." That's the part that saddens me. I wish I had more clout. Did you send it back regular mail or did you pay for a rush (for whatever that's worth)? Just curious.
ReplyDeletefingers crossed here in NC as it will be close
ReplyDeletewe are supposed to get our mail-in ballots this week. your vote WILL make a difference!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! Glad you voted! We just received our mail-in ballots, and are filling them out this weekend. The first election that I did this was, was back in the spring, I think, and I made every mistake imaginable on my ballot... I didn't read directions! You have to use ball-point pen, and I used a marker (then I went over it with ball point), and there were other mistakes. I'm ready this time, though! LOL
ReplyDeleteAre you watching the tennis?
ReplyDeleteGood work. Every vote counts.
ReplyDeleteOur traditional vote-by-mail ballots will only start going out 14 October, and when I receive it I will quickly fill it in and since I go to the library frequently, I will drop it in the drop-box adjacent to the County Office where the ballots will all be counted. Normally, I just use the nearest drop-box but this year I want to be ABSOLUTELY early. We are a democratic state, so even though I feel comfortably sure, I want my down-ballot votes to also help all of the democrats. It really was a scare when earlier in the week, the NYTimes showed Oregon as a possibility of going Red (horrors!) but a friend just confirmed this morning the Times did a retraction and identified that was a mistake (phew!) Mary in Oregon
ReplyDeleteOh, no! I changed my name on my gmail account and now I've lost my picture!
ReplyDeleteNo time today but I will attempt to add something!
Mary in Oregon
let us hope so
ReplyDeletechm -- I have real-life, 3-D friends in Alexandria. If you have any trouble at all in getting your vote done, I would be happy to send them to help.
ReplyDeletechm, I'm glad you were able to request a ballot on line (which is what I did). I'm sure you'll get it on time, it's still early.
ReplyDeleteandrew, I certainly hope so!
jean, I never missed an election in the US until I moved to France. Up until now, knowing that my vote would be counted in California, I saw no real reason to do it.
travel, no kidding!
mitch, no, I sent it regular mail. With more than a month to go, it should get there in plenty of time.
melinda, Ken wishes he could vote in NC, his home state, but like me, he's only eligible in California.
anne marie, thanks, I hope so!
judy, wow! Glad you worked it out. That's why it's important to read the instructions before you begin!
potty, yes! The empty stands are a little weird, but I'm used to it now.
chris, yup!
mary, it's nice that you have a drop box so close.
michael, my fingers are crossed!
emm, that's so thoughtful. :)
Thank you Emm, I really appreciate that.
ReplyDelete