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Headline RSS FeedAbsentee bailout: the wisdom of voting early
October 15, 2008 —
Coloradoans were once as meaningful to the electoral process as T-bone steak at a vegetarian convention. We’ve always had all the necessary beef to feed the hunger of Lady Liberty, but by the time we sauntered into the election booth to show our stuff, Florida and Ohio had already set the table and served dinner at the White House.
This year we’ve got swagger. We’ve got game. Not only did Colorado play a crucial role in the Super Tuesday primaries, but Colorado is in the running to be the most important battleground state in the nation.
Nine electoral votes never looked so good.
So what’s the sense in voting early? Why not tempt the candidates with my “undecided” vote, hang onto my ballot, and make my decision on November 4 like most people?
First of all, I’m not that desperate. Mainly, by voting early I have the time to sit at the kitchen table, study my bluebook, do my research, and make my decisions in a well-informed way. Many of this year’s ballot initiatives and amendments contain tricky wording and require time to gestate. There are more issues on this year’s ballot than there have been in almost 100 years, and being an informed voter has never been more important.
And lastly, I’m ready to vote and move onward toward the next big thing, which in my mind is the ski season. This nation has a lot to cope with right now, and the fact that it’s an election year is only making things more difficult, more volatile, and less certain. Bailout or no bailout, once we know who will populate our state and U.S. Congress, as well as our White House, we will at least benefit from the stability of certainty.
And I, for one, will benefit from knowing that it’s time to leave politics behind and focus instead on winter, skiing, snowshoeing, and delving into the best that Colorado has to offer.
1 Comment on "Absentee bailout: the wisdom of voting early"
Libby — October 17, 2008
Vote early! Sit at your at desk and think things through. Absentee votes for other states are similar to how Oregon holds elections. Oregon voters get a couple of weeks to stare at that official mail-in ballot. Walking in and out of their front doors... staring at the ballot.
Who should I vote for?
If you were undecided it could be a problem. If you can't decide, well... wait until you are actually at the ballot box and scribble your choices.
But I agree with this blogger that having the chance outside of the chaos is a better way to vote.
Sitting, reading, and researching your decision is the best chance for an informed vote.
All states should consider mail-in or same day drop off voting!
