Today, for the Very First Time ever, I voted as an American citizen in the state primary elections. All the hard work paying off! Finally a return on my investment! I haven't voted in Dutch elections either, because of being too far away and the absentee ballot being a pain. So I didn't vote at all for the last fifteen years.
I had been kind of waiting for a post card or something to tell me where to vote (I seem to remember this from the Netherlands) but nope, nothing. When I told this to a friend, she explained to me that that isn't the way things are done here in the States. OK ^^ So, this morning, when I saw 'Vote here!', I decided to check it out. Of course, I discovered that I did not live in this ward, so I had to go to another location. Wasn't too hard to find the correct polling place.
I went in, stated my name and address, got my ballot, and went into one of those voting booths. There was a nice pen to colour in the 'ovals of my choice'. Interesting. Very low tech, and in the end I stated my name again, dropped the ballot into a box and that was it.
It was surprising to me that I didn't have to show id to be able to vote. I can see how it might not be too hard to pretend to be someone else. But I didn't have to be someone else, I could vote in my very own name as an American citizen!
6 comments:
Congratulations! I get to vote for the first time on October 4. I'm so excited!
Well, SOME states do do more than we do in this state!
For instance in Oregon: Your County Elections Office will mail you a Voter Notification Card to confirm your registration.
Texas: Your Voter Registration Card (Certificate Number/VUID, County of Residence).
Florida:
If your application is complete and you qualify as a voter, the Supervisor of Elections will mail you a voter information card as official notification that you are registered to vote.
Kentucky: Upon receipt of your voter registration card, your county clerk will send you an acknowledgement card verifying your registration
and so on.....
Yeah for you! :)
The id process is different all over. Here in our little town the old ladies that man the tables know me personally so I don't have to show id. LOL.
I'm sure I still would if we lived in some of the other cities and states we've lived in though.
Anyway - wanted to say it's cool to see you and your family so excited about the voting process!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
I get a postcard, but you found your way anyhow!
I voted earlier this year here in England, and was very taken aback not to have to show id! It all seemed way more laid-back than the way we do it in South Africa. Congrats on voting!
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