Voting. If you don’t vote, don’t complain about things.
I am an election board worker at my local polling place, and every year when it gets closer to election time I get excited and a little concerned as to what changes there may be for the election that I am working. Changes in the law happen every election, even if it is only from September to November, and there are so many laws to remember. Which party can vote this ballot, what time do we open/close the polls, what happens if someone gets sick while working and many other things that may or may not happen. I always enjoy the day and really have fun mostly when handing out stickers that say “I voted today” to those who voted. Some people even ask for the stickers when they don’t get them right way. Those sticker shows everyone how proud they are to have voted every year when a Senator, Congressman, or Representative gets elected.
To me when I hear people complain about things I often wonder if they are doing something about it. The best way to make your voice heard is to get out and vote. Don’t sit and complain and then if things don’t get better or change think that you can’t make a difference. Every voice heard is one more for change. In Maricopa county we had a large number of independent voters attempt to vote in the Presidential primary and I don’t think that has happened in the past. they were not allowed to vote because it was a party preference election but they still came out to make their voices heard. They wanted to make a difference whether it mattered or not in the final count. It mattered to them.
To make sure that you are registered to vote check with your local recorders office. Also make sure that your records are up to date so that you don’t end up going to the wrong place to vote and have to travel to another polling area wait in another line and then vote. Next step is to make sure you know where your local polling place is. That information is vital to voting as well as knowing if you are registered. You also need to check to see what kind of ID is required. In Arizona you need 2 forms of ID. Remember what dates your elections are on. All elections should be listed on your local recorders web site. It is very important to learn what you can about the candidates. You want to be an informed voter and not just vote for someone just because you “think” they will do a good job. You can always volunteer to be a poll worker. Since you are going to the polls anyways. You get to meet your neighbors and I know I always have fun. I get to work at my daughter school so we always eat lunch together. Most important is to get out and VOTE! It can make a difference.