I know election day is right around the corner, and I am JUST getting this to you.
But.....there are still some of you out there who have not voted yet. And just as much as not voting is your right, voting is too, and it's vital to think about the history of it all and why you should get out and have your voice heard.
For YEARS we as a nation have had to face voter suppression. Whether it was black people and other immigrants or poor white people affected by the implementation of literacy tests and poll taxes, or even more modern-day strict ID laws, it has been an uphill battle to help get the act of voting "a go" for all U.S. citizens.
As stated above, we know that just because Congress passed an amendment allowing all men the right to vote, that ALL of these men were allowed to at the time. Then there's us women. We didn't even have the right to vote for another 51 years after this.
I believe we really should reflect on all of it, on all of those who came before us and who suffered for this right, and fought so we could have it. We should not take this right for granted.
For history on voting, there is a link toward the bottom of the page for you to click and read up on, thanks to Scholastic. As a former educator, I still enjoy the lessons that Scholastic provides that are actually great for all ages, including adults!
Despite what some of you may be hearing in the media or what you've watched on debates, you should not be fearful of exercising your right to vote.
Whether on a local level or presidential level, this is your opportunity to have your voice heard through the act of voting.
I am not going to tell you who to vote for, but I will say this.
Please vote smart, and vote for your city, county, state, and the country as a whole. It is not just for 1 person or based on a single platform, but as a whole, for most people. Who are "the people"? Well, they're your family, friends, neighbors, the owners of the businesses you frequent, and the like ALL over the United States.
Remember, if you have a mail-in ballot, it is TOO LATE TO MAIL!
Please take it to the local and OFFICIAL drop off box closest to you.
If you go to the poll to vote in-person, you may be faced with a long line.
Here are some tips to help make your in-person voting day a little easier:
🧍♂️🧍♀️👬🧍🏾♂️🧍🏼♂️👩🦽🧍🏿♀️🚶♂️🚶🏻♀️
1. Bring a small camping/lawn chair with you to sit and wait.
2. Bring a small bag with a light blanket, snacks, water, and any meds you might need for a headache or so that you don't miss your daytime dose.
💧 Go light on the water though, you might not have access to a bathroom, and you don't want to leave the line to find one!
Just remember how important it is to get your vote in, and don't let anything (unless it's serious, of course!) keep you from casting it!
The History of Voting
And if you would like to know a little more history on voting from 1788 - 2000, there is some great information provided by one of my old teaching favorites, Scholastic!
Just click on the photo for the info.!
HAPPY VOTING!
Love,
Traci