Exercising ‘will of the people’ requires intention, action and follow-through
Be an active proactive voter
In the abortive 1991 Soviet Coup, Muscovites voted with their actions in the streets. According to Russia-direct.org: “…the very fact that Muscovites, who shared democratic values, responded to Yeltsin’s calls, accounts for the failure of the coup. And this was a very powerful force, which brought together hundreds of thousands of people who – since late 1989 – had been participating in demonstrations.”
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Will of the people requires going the extra mile(s) to make sure your vote counts. This year, that goes way beyond filling out a ballot. Do everything reasonably possible to get that ballot directly into the hands of those duly authorized to count the votes. Action steps include:
Help Others Vote.
For example, subject to the outcome of lawsuits filed in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott restricting drop-off ballot boxes to one per county, I thought about “what if’s.” Harris County, which includes Houston, is very large. If I lived there, I’d pull together a group of voters in an SUV (or larger vehicle) and make a day of it. Drive to the ballot box, drop off ballots, then do something to celebrate exercising your will of the people. Instead of a frustrating “have-to,” turn it into a fun, social event filled with a sense of accomplishment. And, this can still apply if/when the courts overturn Abbott’s draconian declaration. Grassroots efforts can do a lot to counter voter suppression and underhanded/illegal tactics.
Don’t Assume, Confirm.
Make sure you’re properly registered. Then, be very attentive to how you fill out a ballot to ensure that it counts. If using a mail-in ballot, do your best to put it directly in the hands of the duly authorized vote counting authority. If at all possible, forego putting it in a USPS mailbox or giving it to someone who offers to “drop if off” for you—unless you absolutely trust that person. (Even seemingly legitimate credentials can be faked!)
Trust, But Verify.
Don’t give up on casting your vote because you doubt the integrity of the system. Trust that the system will work, and verify that it does. Don’t fall victim to technicalities that can invalidate your vote because you “didn’t follow instructions.” Check, recheck, rinse and repeat. A Marketwatch.com article headlined, “4 common mistakes that could get your mail-in ballot rejected — and how to make sure your vote is counted” addresses common voting pitfalls and potholes. The article notes: “The most common pitfalls, according to the report: ‘the signature on the ballot not matching the signature on the state’s records,’ ‘ballot not received on time/missed deadline’ and ‘no voter signature.’ Other reasons for rejection included ‘voter voted in person,’ ‘no witness signature’ and ‘problem with return materials.’
Check Out Multiple Information Sources.
Make sure they match up. For example, AARP has issued a guide called, “How to Register and Vote in the 2020 General Election in Your State.” Another guide from Projects.fivethirtyeight.com/how-to-vote-2020 called “How To Vote In The 2020 Election” also merits review. Pull up AARP’s and Projects.fivethirtyeight.com’s information for your state, then reconfirm accuracy of the information with at least two more sources such as local and state voting/election authorities. Compare and contrast information, and check out any discrepancies.
Will of the people is about fully exercising your right to vote, and ensure it is counted. The future of our country, way of life and freedom are on the line. That’s worth some extra time and effort to get it right.
As Michael Douglas famously said in the movie “American President,” “America isn’t easy. America is advanced citizenship. You’ve gotta want it bad, ’cause it’s gonna put up a fight.”
Fight the good fight in the upcoming election.
Gray Flannel Head 