This is SO embarrassing for me to ask

[kathee]

but all of yall are so nice and understanding...

As I have said in other posts, I used to be a Jehovah's Witness. While I have nothing against that religion, all my life I was told not to vote.

37 years a slave to this mess, and now my question..

I hate admitting this, but I have never voted. I have my voter's registration card and all, but don't know a thing about what to do. I truly want to vote now, and Im clueless where to go and what to do when the time comes. Call me a political late bloomer at 40, but this is really bugging me! My son is 18, and I want the both of us to vote when these times come...
Help me out, please yall?

[XanaDUer]

1. Contact your local League of Women's Voters

or see if you can locate the number of your local voting agency. Your local library will have the contact information.

Everyone must vote for the first time once!

Just glad you're decided to exercise your right to vote-it's never too late.

Also check your voters' registration card, there should be a telephone number on it of the local supervisor of elections. They usually send out literature before a vote with the issues and what to do.

[patdem]

2. Educate yourself and vote your concience....there can be no other

advise. You must decide who to vote for based on what you believe and what the politicans belive. There is no formula!

Good luck...and God Bless!

[molly]

3. Don't be intimidated - it's easy

just because this link is from Kerry's site, don't think you must vote for him

http://www.johnkerry.com/register/

[catpower2000]

4. DON'T BE EMBARASSED!!

It is WONDERFUL and COURAGEOUS for you to start this tradition NOW, after all these years! Bravo to you!

There should be a phone number on your voter registration card. Call that number, they should be able to tell you where your polling place is. It's usually in a school, community center, etc.

On voting day, go to that location, WITH your voter reg card and some ID, and they'll walk you through the process and show you how to do everything. I'ts VERY easy and people are WAY nice at the polling places.

Again, congrats to you!! You rock!! :toast:

Cat

[GOPisEvil]

7. Slight correction.

Kathee lives in TX (I think). Here in TX, you do not need ID if you have your voter registration card. (Sign it before you get there, though.) They'll ask you to sign the list of voters, and compare signatures. They only ask for ID if you do not have your voter registration card.

[catpower2000]

19. The way elections have been perverted in recent years...

with all sorts of anomalies in voting procedures, people being turned away for nonexistant or fictitious reasons, and vote fraud, there's NO WAY I would show up without my ID, I don't care WHAT they tell you ahead of time.

I'm actually thinking about taking my BIRTH CERTIFICATE, just in case there's a question.

Cat

[GOPisEvil]

21. LOL! Actually, if I'm not mistaken,

it's against the law to demand an ID if the person has a voter ID card. As long as the signatures match, I guess.

The only time I've ever had to break out my ID is when I left my voter reg. card at home. In fact, I seem to get my id out by habit, only to be told I don't need it.

[catpower2000]

24. Even so...

I'm not kidding. I really think with the Patriot Act and Homeland Security and the insanity with minority voters in Florida, you should be armed for bear when heading to the voting booth. Don't give them an opportunity to deny you your Constitutionally-protected right to vote.

I have had that same experience too, where I had my ID out and they didn't need it, but why would we think ANYTHING would be the same this go-round? Chimp and co have proven that NOTHING is sacred in their evil little plan, so why wouldn't our voting rights be the next thing to go?

And, BTW, I don't look good in tinfoil. :) I'm just using common sense here.

Cat

[GOPisEvil]

25. Actually, my advice for Kathee is to not go alone.

Go with someone who knows what's what. The elections people generally are pretty helpful, but in small towns, who knows?

:tinfoilhat: I dunno - kinda becoming in a nihilistic sort of way.

[GOPisEvil]

5. Call your county elections board.

Tell them your precint # (it should be on your voter reg. card). Then ask them to tell you where the polling places are.

Once you get there, stand in line, give your card to the election worker, get your ballot, and you're off. Remember, the election workers are there to assist you. Just ask for help, and they'll show you everything.

[SoCalDem]

6. Just read..read..read..read

and align YOUR beliefs with the candidate(s) who most represent YOUR beliefs..

That's about all anyone can do..

Search their records for deeds as well a words..

Talk is cheap, and not knowing about the candidates past actions can be detrimental...


Lots of people do not vote, but there is always hope :):)

[geebensis]

8. Don't panic

There's nothing to it. Your polling place should be on your card. You can call your local supervisor of elections for directions.

There should be plenty of volunteers at your polling place on election day. When you sign in and present your card so they can verify you're registered just ask them if someone can demonstrate how everything works. They are there to help.

mm

[eyesroll]

9. Hey, better late than never!

What state are you in?

You can call your city clerk and ask where to vote (it's usually not too far away -- there are many polling places). This is not an unusual request, since many people move during the year and don't know where their polling place is. The clerk also can tell you if you need to bring a photo ID or your voter card with you (it varies from state to state).

In WI, we vote on paper that gets scanned, kind of like taking your SATs (the machine even is supposed to spit out your ballot, on the spot, if you voted twice in the same raceor something, so you can fix it). The instructions are printed on the ballot or in the booth, and the poll workers can help you if there's something that's not clear.

Good luck!

[Demobrat]

10. All you have to do is find out where your polling place is and go.

If you get a voter's info pack, your polling place will be listed on it. (That's what happens in San Francisco, where they keep changing, anyway.) If not, call the number on your card or the registrar's office.

[qb]

11. Congratulations and good luck!

Plenty of good advice above - nothing to add.

[roughsatori]

12. Nothing at all to be embarrassed about

Congratulations and Good Luck.

[CBHagman]

13. Congratulations, and here's a website.

The above suggestions were good, but also check out this site:

www.vote-smart.org

It's a nonprofit site for voter education. It'll help you learn who's supposedly representing you in Congress, how to contact elected officials, what their stances and records are, etc.

Congratulations! You rock.

[damnraddem]

14. Your county should have a commissioner of elections.

Call that office. They can tell you where your polling place is. Chances are, your neighbors could tell you, but ask more than one and see if they agree.

In many places, you can go in early and vote -- I do this in most elections. In many jurisdictions, you can also request an abentee ballot just because you want to -- but watch out: there was a thread on here about a Florida county's simply failing to count 268 absentee ballots in a recent primary.

However you do it, vote. The poll workers will explain the technicalities at your polling place -- and if in doubt, ask: remember the lessons of 2000 in Florida.

[kathee]

15. Wow!

Somehow I KNEW yall would be cool and helpful and take my question seriously.

I didnt know there were persons there at the polls that would answer questions, so now I dont feel so bad/scared/awkward.

Im in Texas, an hour from Crawford. :puke:

Its time I represent...

[GOPisEvil]

17. Anytime!

I hope you can make it to Austin on 9/13!! That's election day! :o Vote; then come to Austin!

[Aristus]

16. I don't want to sound like a tinfoil hat wearer, but when you go to vote

for the first time, (and way to go! I'm proud of you!) go with a whole group of friends and family. The whole 'roadblocking' minority voters in Florida thing freaked me out. Who knows who they'll try to keep out next November. Safety in numbers.

edited misspelling.

[Az]

20. I just bring a camcorder

Last time I went to vote I nearly wound up using it. Standing there waiting to confirm my name they told me I had voted already. Needless to say I was a bit skeptical of this. Turns out my neighbor across the street has the same name as me. Great way to meet the neighborhood anyway. ;-)

[LearnedHand]

23. GREAT advice!

I never thought of that! I'm taking the old digital camera next time I go to the polls!

[StaggerLee]

18. Good for you Kathee!

Lots of good advice on this thread.
Don't feel embarassed. My mom didn't vote until she was in her 50's.

Stay informed, visit the forums here on DU and you should be fine.

:-)

[LearnedHand]

22. Good for you, Kathee!

It's NEVER too late to start. Call your local election commission to find out where you vote (gotta go to the right place). Once you get there, ask the poll workers to help you (all the while, watching for an ILLEGAL attempt to sway your vote -- they CANNOT tell you FOR WHOM to vote, only HOW to vote).

Inside the booth, check and recheck your answers as many times as you need to to ensure you've chosen those you want to vote for. DO NOT let lines, poll workers, etc., pressure you into hurrying up; TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS YOU NEED!

If you feel pressured, call for an election official and make your discomfort clear!

Good luck, and you go, girl!

[ChesWickatWork]

26. A Virgin? Whhhoooo hooooo it is so much fun!!!

nothing to be affraid of. You polling place is probably on your voter reg card and unless you have moved you simply go there. Walk in, sign the book, show your ID if nessesary (it is not nessesary where I live) walk into the booth and pull the big lever for Democrat. (well what else would I say? Go Democrats) Just kidding, vote as you see fit, but find out what the issues are first.

If you don't know how the voting system you use works, ask someone. There are people there to help you.

[kathee]

27. Oooo so I am!

I follow my heart, which is why Im here. And everything here makes good sense to me. I learn a lot about issues reading all this good stuff at DU.

I feel so encouraged! And so floweredy fresh!!

[Lady President]

28. Yea!

Good for you! Everyone has to vote for the first time, so there is no need to feel uncomfortable. Personally, I voted by absentee ballot all through school and never voted in person until I was 27. I was a touch nervous too, but it was easy and you get a cute little sticker that says 'I voted.'

My advice would be to ask for help from the workers at the polling place. My grandmother has been a worker for a couple decades and always says she wishes more people would ask for help. According to her, many people refuse their help and mess up the ballot. They will be more than happy to walk you through the process.

[sandnsea]

29. Voter Pamphlet in the mail

Most states print a voter pamphlet before the election, maybe it's a law everywhere, I don't know exactly.

It should tell you all the measures coming up, and pros and cons, candidates, give you a sample ballot, and generally help you get ready to vote. Of coures you will probably also want to learn some on your own.

Then you should be able to call the county or ask a neighbor where your local voting place is. They'll be very helpful there too. And you might even get a little 'I Voted' sticker to wear the rest of the day!!! It'll be great!!

[ima_sinnic]

30. Here in my county in Florida they always

send out a sample ballot ahead of time in the mail. You could call and ask if a sample will be sent or available somewhere to see ahead of time. It helps to be able to go over it and make all your choices ahead of time. This last election had so many different offices and referendums I brought the sample ballot with my choices marked as a reference.

[TEXASYANKEE]

31. Not a thing to be embarrassed about.

I was in your shoes in 2000 when, for the first time in my adult life, I cast a vote (for President Al Gore). You've been given lots of great advice here and I have nothing to add except -- Congratulations!

[ronnykmarshall]

32. Here's a link from your state.

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqvr.shtml

[CBHagman]

33. Allow plenty of time to get to the polls.

I check ahead of time to make sure I know which site they're using for our local polling place. In more than a quarter century of voting, I've never had to walk more than a couple of blocks to the polls, but your situation might be different.

See if you can't plan to go to the polls early in the day, if you have a 9-to-5 job. I get up earlier than usual, go to the polls, and then get on the subway for work.

Rides for non-drivers and the homebound, mobility-limited, etc., can usually be arranged through local volunteers. My local party offers rides to the polls for those in need.

GOOD LUCK!

[Iris]

34. poll workers are often retirees

who enjoy getting out and helping. Don't be afraid to tell them you've never voted. I'm sure one will be able to show you what to do on a model voting machine. (I remember going with my mom when she voted and they had a model that they showed adults and children how to use.

Make sure you get an "I voted" sticker when you leave (if your state has them!)