November 6th is going to be a great day for two reasons. #1 – it’s my birthday (38! PARTAAAYYY, you know, if by “partying,” you mean staying up late to watch the poll results), and #2 – Americans will have the chance to vote for the next president.
Now, I have very strong beliefs about this election, but I’m not here to push my political views in your face. My political views are mine, for reasons personal to me. Just like your political beliefs are personal to you. I don’t feel the need to scream my political views across various social media platforms, hoping to elicit fist pumps and inevitably, some eye rolls.
What matters most is that I have educated myself on the presidential platforms, have made an informed decision, and I AM GOING TO ACT ON IT. I am going to drive to my polling location, wait in line, and make my voice heard by voting. It’s very simple. We live in a democracy. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion in regard to who should be the next president, but you can’t stop there. You need to vote. You have to vote.
Because apathy? I can’t deal with it. I can’t stand it. It’s an absolute deal breaker for me.
Educate yourself. Make your voice heard. Vote on November 6th. Consider it your birthday present to me.
narmalie
November 1, 2012 at 8:10 amAlready voted! (Love early voting. Easy, quick, quiet… and no lines.) So happy early birthday!
Heather B.
November 1, 2012 at 9:03 amI think I can manage that…
(I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY OMG)
Elizabeth
November 1, 2012 at 9:32 amWow, I didn’t know people actually went to the polls anymore. I did mail in my ballot last week, so happy birthday! On an unrelated note, since you are a self-proclaimed jeans freak. Will you do a post for $30 jeans if you ever buy those. I am shaped similar to you. Size 4 but with a bootie and a small waist. I have yet to find skinnies I love.
whoorl
November 1, 2012 at 9:39 amI love going to the polls – it’s part of the whole ritual for me. As for jeans, I can recommend great skinnies if you’d like, but they are definitely not $30. Just like the boot saying from a few posts back, “good jeans ain’t cheap, and cheap jeans ain’t good!”
amy
November 5, 2012 at 2:35 amelizabeth! i can help. i’m size 2/4 with a booty and a little waist, and the best i’ve found for the money are uniqlo skinnies for $40. if you live near new york, go into the store and they’ll hem them for free!
and yay voting and birthdays!
sizzle
November 1, 2012 at 9:35 amI gave you your birthday gift early then. I mailed in my ballot before going on my honeymoon! I’ll be watching the polls along with you on your birthday and raising a toast to you, friend. xo
whoorl
November 1, 2012 at 9:41 amI always consider early voting or mail-in ballots, but there is just something about going to the polls on election day. What can I say, I’m old fashioned! Who cares, though…a vote is a vote! :)
Kerri Anne
November 1, 2012 at 10:08 amI miss poll booths, too! But alas, Washington State is (nearly) entirely mail-in ballot only these days.(It’s mightily efficient, though, so there’s that!) But Matt & I had a Brussels & Ballots night last week and it was glorious. Here’s to you, friend! And to the right to vote (and always always always exercising said right). Love & celebratory adult beverages!
Elizabeth A
November 1, 2012 at 12:32 pmBeautifully stated, Sarah, every word of it. I mailed my ballot in on Monday, since I prefer to sit in my home and take my sweet time figuring things before marking the ballot. I do miss the “I voted” sticker, but that’s the price I pay, I guess. Happy Early Birthday! Since my birthday is two days after yours, I think that is a gift for both of us. And I couldn’t think of a better one.
Claire H.
November 1, 2012 at 2:33 pmAMEN!
Miss Virginia
November 1, 2012 at 3:19 pmDone! Happy Birthday!
cj4
November 1, 2012 at 4:36 pmI’ll tell you what: I will vote as my birthday gift to you if you’ll vote as your birthday gift to me. Deal?
(And joint present: driving the relatives crazy with our political allegiance.)
whoorl
November 1, 2012 at 4:47 pmDEAL.
Lindsay
November 1, 2012 at 4:43 pmI’d also add that here in CA, we’re also voting on some other interesting things besides “just” the President. I know sometimes folks in non-swing states decide to skip voting because their Presidential vote “doesn’t matter” (and that’s people in both the majority and in the minority in their states), but sometimes other things can impact your life even more! Just to name a couple – we’re voting on labeling GMOs in food, car insurance laws, education, money for roads,… heck, in my county, we’re even voting on requiring condom use in adult movies. With the possible exception of the condom use one (heh), THESE ARE THINGS THAT IMPACT EVERYONE! So yes, please educate yourself and vote!
And I agree about going to the polls. I’ve voted by mail a few times, and it’s just NOT THE SAME! :)
whoorl
November 1, 2012 at 4:49 pmYes, LOTS of important items on the ballot this year in CA. Hadn’t heard about the condom usage one, though!
Lindsay
November 1, 2012 at 4:55 pmIt’s just an LA county one, I believe. And it cracks me up. Because I am apparently 12 years old.
kerrie
November 1, 2012 at 7:14 pmI have been a medium loyal follower for a couple of years now but with that post I just became a die hard. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I think it is SO important to vote but even more important is studying it out for yourself and deciding what issues matter to you and where you stand and what candidates you think will do the best job with what aligns with your issues. Too many people make up their minds based off of what Ryan Gosling or Beyonce thinks instead of using their own mind. I wish Hollywood would encourage voting over voting FOR..It’s too important to not find out for yourself. You could not have said it better..xoxo
Jessica
November 1, 2012 at 7:58 pmI love going to the polls. It makes me feel more connected with my community. When I vote this year, I will be thinking about how some women kicked ass to afford me the right to vote.
cc
November 2, 2012 at 7:56 pmI’m putting my ballot in the mail tomorrow. This will be my first time voting. I was one day to lat to register to vote last year.
Lisa Taylor Whitley
November 4, 2012 at 7:58 pmI have equally strong beliefs about this election and there is NO WAY I am not voting! I don’t understand why people don’t realize how important it is. People fought and died for the right to vote. People were bullied and tricked out of their right to vote. There’s even a good argument that people continue to try to keep other people from voting. The right to vote is so precious!
Hope you have a great birthday!