Did YOU vote?

Stopped at the KGS today to get my smokes and when I left I told one of the young girls that works there "Hey, you registered to vote?" She said no and had a weird look on her face. I politely told her she should go online and do some research and then register to vote and make sure to vote because it's important. She blinked at me and slowly said, "yea, okay." I said have a good day and walked out. There was this older gal working in there today too that is awful nice and just kinda had this, what the hell you talking to her about look on her face. Anyway, nothing bad happened in the situation, I was just surprised that what I said was so weird to these people. I registered to vote right when I turned eighteen and have voted ever since.

Perhaps it's because it's not the presidential election. I've read over the years that people just don't show up at the midterms. With my dissatisfaction of the state of things over the last six years, I decided to do something about it but I did my research of all sides before making my decisions. I actually sat and read each and every description in my booklet (I'm a mail in/drop off paper ballot guy cause ta HELL with digital machines!) and read about every judge. I got on the computer and researched every person NOT in the booklet and would fill in each bubble one..by..one. Cool heads prevail. I won't publicly root for one side or the other, but I must say, if you haven't done the research, do so.

So, now for the title of the thread. Did YOU vote, or did you decide you won't and instead influenced someone or some people around you? Please don't include which side of the aisle you stood on or care to stand on. That is not the point of this conversation. The point is whether or not you took the time or are going to take the time last minute to do what is MOST important to all of us and seems to me may be slipping away faster and faster, AND THAT IS...show up at the poll, or take the time to be a permanent mail in. Also, if you are a legal resident of this country, and you have loved ones and friends that are legal residents of this country, encourage those people to register to vote as well. That's what I did myself today. I didn't influence left or right, I simply told that youngun she needed to vote and let that seed take hold in her brain. Anyway, I didn't see a topic like this here in the Courthouse so I thought I'd post it. Sorry if I repeated something already up. Happy Fourth.

Oh, and although this election day is a very important one, I want to point out that there's not going to (by any means) be an overnight national shift. It will take time, but like I said, cool heads prevail.

Yeah, I voted, but what depressed me is talking to younger kids. They tend to be liberal in their voting (at least those who vote), yet they don't know why. I quizzed one on why he voted the way he did. He couldn't answer. He voted Udall, I asked why? He only did it because his parents are conservative and he wants opposite what they want.

I just don't get it. I have no issue with people who vote for him, but why? What has he done, or what is he promising to do that you want.

Crazy.

Always do EARLY voting....League of Women Voters pamphlets (at the library} is a GOOD
reference source (it will lay out pro/con on each issue). I am MORE than elated that its just hours from
now that the ads will cease...(for a while)...I often wonder IF the ad agencies realize that MOST voters MUTE the TV ads or leave the room...it's too much brain damage to expose yourself to the negativity.

I just don't think that telling someone that does not know it is time to vote will yield a vote towards an intelligent direction.

Yes, I voted early (but not often ).

I never understood the voters who only voted in the Presidential elections. Since voter turnout is down, your vote counts for much more in the midterms.
Presidential election? Vote counts for almost nothing in most red or blue states.

I, too, registered to vote as soon as I could. I have voted in every election, and by every I mean every, since that time. I consider it my obligation as a citizen of this State, not an optional activity.

What I see as sad is that in our Union today who we elect to federal office is viewed as more consequential than who we elect at the State and local level. The premier race to be decided today by all rights ought to be the one for governor, not one of the races for Congress.

Awesome replies, thanks you guys. Renegade, I totally understand what you're talking about in that respect. That's why I told that young girl (I say she's probably 22 or so) to do some research. By the way Freezeman, I wasn't telling her to go cram research in one night, register to vote and then hit the booth the next day, she missed the boat this time, but in the meantime she could learn herself up pretty good until the next round. I would LOVE to have more thoughtful conversations with younger people on the benefits of being informed and casting their votes but until they become more informed and less biased, I just stay non-biased myself. It takes a lot of patience and intestinal fortitude to argue which side is better and unfortunately I have a horrible temper.

I too agree that midterms are basically separate but equal as the presidential election, if not more important. These set the future national stage and attitude. With so many people upset these days, I'm surprised to see the extremely low numbers being reported (at least yesterday and since the eighties, lol). I will continue to encourage younger people to DO THEIR RESEARCH, vote with confidence, and help keep us whole, left OR right.