Although I keep politics out of the Travelite FAQ, the past year and a half or so has been a truly eye-opening experience for me as America prepares to vote for the next leader.
If you are registered but have yet to vote—especially if you’re in a swing state like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida—you should expect lines to be very long. Don’t let the long lines discourage you; please stay in line, and please vote. It is the one voice you have, and together, our country is a wonderful choir of different voices.
Today’s post is a very different kind of packing list published at the Jack and Jill Politics blog:
Before you go to vote
- Confirm polling location: not always same as primary / caucus location. Check @ http://govote.org
- Print out voting rights: know phone numbers, rules, etc. Check out http://bit.ly/print-voting-rights
- Save election protection numbers in your cell:
- 866-OUR-VOTE / 866-687-8683
- Espanol 888-VE-Y-VOTA / 888-839-8682
- Asian languages: 800-966-5946
- Check weather
- Note nearby public bathrooms
Voting day packing list
- Avoid political buttons or campaign-related clothing
- Bring I.D. just in case — see your state’s ID requirements here
(for yourself or others)…
- Bottled water. snacks
- Umbrella / trash: bags in case of rain.
- Jacket: in case of cold or to cover campaign clothing
- Folding chairs: for the tired, the injured, the elders
- Camera: to document fraud or simply history. share with Video The Vote or YouTube’s Video Your Vote project.
Activities to pass the time waiting in line
- Be alert for scams! for example, if somebody suggest you can “vote by phone” to avoid the line, they’re lying—call the hotline to report it
- Play six degrees of kevin bacon
- Remember favorite campaign moments
- Sing civil rights songs
- Make up new dances
- Meet your neighbors!
Finally…
- If you have problems voting, call the hotline numbers (1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA)
- Femember that voting with a provisional ballot is better than not voting at all
- If you are in line when the polls close, you are still allowed to vote
Go vote, America.