I’m no stranger to the off-topic political posts when the occasion calls for it – and this is one of those occasions. Over the last few months I’ve talked to a lot of people and was amazingly surprised to find out how casually people take the responsibility of voting. For those of you who don’t live in the US, you may want to read this as well so you can help to get your American counterparts off their butts and out to the polls. As you know, the US has a heavy hand in the world and you can help us out 
.
UPDATE: Find your polling place and registration status here.
Excuse #1: My State’s Locked Up Already
“It won’t make a difference, my state is already locked up for [CANDIDATE]“. This may be true for the presidential election – especially if you live in California or New York. If it’s not (and you live in Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, etc) and you don’t vote – 
you’re flat out lame (sorry, but it’s true).
If you’re one of the people who live in a “locked up state” what you’re not considering is that there may be a Senator or Congressperson on that ballot as well that IS NOT LOCKED UP. Regardless of your party affiliation, you should get to know who these people are and what they stand for. THEY VOTE FOR YOU in the House/Senate, and moreover they might be the candidate of tomorrow whose career starts today.
In addition, there are probably some really good propositions and measures that will need a vote (or not). In Hawaii we have two measures on the ballot that are critically important: The Constitutional Convention and Hawaii Rail. The impact of both of these on our society here will be enormous! Moreover the Kauai Island mayoral seat is up for grabs as well as one of our State Senators – probably will have 10 times the effect of our president on my daily life.
Excuse #2: My Vote Will Be Offset By My [Friend/Spouse/Family]
I actually talked to a guy a few weeks back whose family “voted as a unit”. If they couldn’t agree on a candidate then they wouldn’t vote. I tried to persuade him that voting isn’t a math exercise – it’s a duty of a free republic – but he said to me “maybe I’m arrogant about it – I don’t know. It just doesn’t make sense to me”.
I don’t mean to pick on this person – their point of view is their own. If you feel this way, however, I would like to stress to you that people die for the right to vote on a daily basis. Revolutions are staged, government buildings go up in flames, and riots occur – all in the name of the people having a voice and a hand in government.
The concept of “government by the people, for the people” is fundamental to a democracy. Yes, it is arrogant to pass on your duty to voice your opinion and if you’re of the mind to keep silent than you should consider why you have the things you have in life. Ultimately the answer to that will be based on someone else’s desire to fight for your right to not vote, which is really a slap in their face.
So do history a favor and honor all the soldiers and others who have given up so much to allow you to vote in the first place – VOTE.
Excuse #3: I Can’t Take the Time to Wait In Line
Yes you can. Your employer legally must give you the time required for you to vote.
Excuse #4: I Don’t Think I’m Registered
I’ll be you are. Many times people don’t remember “that one time at the store”, at the DMV renewing their driver’s license or car registration, or perhaps getting a passport. There are checkboxes on a lot of government forms that say “Please register me to vote”. You can easily find out if you’re registered by showing up, or by dropping by your local pollling place today during lunch.
Make an effort – find out. It’s worth it and moreover it’s your duty! You might be surprised to see your name there .
