by Donna Waller, President, League of Women Voters of Alachua County
We are only a few weeks away from the primary and local elections on Aug. 18. The League of Women Voters wants to make sure that you are ready to vote. Here’s what you need to do and how the LWV can help.
Everyone who votes on Aug. 18 must be registered by now. If you missed that deadline, be sure you register so that you can vote in the general election in November. If you are registered, you may still request a vote by mail ballot, but do it immediately. The deadline is Aug. 3. Ballots have gone out already. The turnaround time for mine in the mail was a week, so don’t dawdle! Early voting is Aug. 7-15. You may check your voting status through the League’s VOTE411.org site or the Supervisor of Elections Office at votealachua.gov. Make sure your family and friends know all this, too.
Next, educate yourself on the candidates and their positions. Meet them in person, if you can. It is always illuminating to talk with the candidates one on one, and in Alachua County, most of them are accessible. If you can’t encounter them in person, access videos of the forums at the Alachua Democratic Party web site at tinyurl.com/iguana2534 (scroll to the bottom of the page for links to the forum videos). The candidates all gave thoughtful answers to the League’s questions. Last, but certainly not least, go to VOTE411.org. There, you will find candidate profiles and answers to more LWV questions.
You have used the LWV resources and made your decisions. Now you are ready to vote, but as an engaged citizen, you are not ready for the election. Your next step is one that I, as president of the local LWV chapter, must skip. Once you have picked your candidates, work for them. Support them with your time and your money. Give house parties and introduce them to your neighbors. Talk politics with everyone you know. Put up yard signs. Try to choose candidates who favor the interest of the many over the interest of the few, even if you are one of the few. That’s what democracy is about.
Turn out to vote, and make sure others do, too. If you have the time and energy, volunteer with the Supervisor of Elections office as a poll worker or on the canvassing board. Take others to the polls. Vote early and wear your “I Voted” sticker, so everyone knows you think it’s important. Take it as a personal responsibility that everyone you know casts an informed ballot. Roll up your sleeves and get busy. This is what democracy is all about, democracy is what America is all about, and you can’t have a democracy without citizens.
Amanda Gorman has written a beautiful children’s book called “Change Song.” Follow her advice and make yourself an instrument of change. Each of you is “just what the world needs.” Be sure to play your part.