Super Tuesday

This week I was humbled. After years of, I’ll admit it, somewhat looking down on people who got the flu shot as a sign of weakness*, I got the flu. And it sucks. I was wrong, and will be first in line when my office offers the flu vaccine next year. But, despite being bedridden for four days and a thunderstorm looming outside, today is Super Tuesday, and for the first time in my memory, NJ is holding its primary today, rather than in the summer, when, let’s face it, it is basically just ceremonial at that point. So, I threw on a pair of leggings (see, I really am sick), my favorite Uggs, and my puffy coat and schlepped down to the local senior center to cast my vote. As one of three registered Republicans in NJ, how could I not. Oh, that and something I look down upon even more than voluntary flu shots (again, this is past tense, in my book, flu shots now = greatest thing ever) is people who choose not to vote. My college roommate’s husband is from Canada and cannot vote, and this drives him crazy. And I’m sure this race, with what seems like the entire country leaning towards a Democratic president, has him trying to figure out ways to sneak into the voting booth (kidding, I’m pretty sure this is a felony). As I was driving to vote today (it’s only two blocks away, but it’s raining and I’m sick and had to “sit” on line at the pharmacy yesterday, so give me a break), my heart warmed at what I saw. In the five minutes it took me to vote, despite the rain and cold, I saw a packed parking lot, a crowded polling place, a woman walking in the rain to vote, a daughter helping her elderly father from the car with his walker to vote, mothers bringing their children with them to show them our country’s judicial process…and all this begs the question, given the right, how can you not vote?

Of people I’ve asked, these are some of the reasons I’ve gotten as an answer:

1) I don’t have time
2) I don’t know where to go
3) I don’t know how
4) It won’t make a difference
5) I don’t know enough about the candidates
6) I don’t have enough time to make an informed decision
7) It’s against my religion
8) All of the candidates suck

Let’s address these, shall we?

1) I don’t have time: Um, okay, as I mentioned above, it took me five minutes. Granted I went at off hours due to plague-like illness and being home from work; however, in the past I’ve gone at prime hours (before or after work), and it has never taken more than 15 minutes.

2) I don’t know where to go: Okay, I somewhat understand this, because my town gets out the sample ballots notoriously late every year (once even AFTER the date). And there was the year they unexplicably changed polling locations, which resulted in my turning in confused circles at the local fire station, wondering where all the happy people were handing out I Voted stickers. However, a simple call to the municipal building should straighten out any confusion. Go ahead, make the call. It’s toll-free.

3) I don’t know how: If your town is anything like mine, there will be more than enough eager volunteers at your polling place to explain the process. If they could go into the booth with you, I think they would. And, I will admit, I still lose my mind a bit whenever I step behind the curtain (which for some reason always reminds me of the last scene in Wizard of Oz), and my OCD kicks into full gear making sure I’ve chosen the right candidate and not written John Locke into the write in slot. But, take a deep breath, there is no timer, cast your vote. You will be fine.

4) It won’t make a difference: 2000 election anyone? Florida? Ohio? Hanging chads? Hello.

5) I don’t know enough about the candidates: Okay, I don’t want people voting all willy-nilly and making uninformed decisions, especially with some of the people who manage to get their name on the ballot these days. Now, I’m not saying you need to review the candidates websites in detail, compare your results in an undetermined number of “Which candidate is right for you?” online polls, or DVR each and every debate (guilty, guilty, guilty). But you haven’t been able to blink over the past six months without being bombarded with information on the candidates. I would venture to say that to not know anything about them, you’d have to be doing your best ostrich impersonation.

6) I don’t have enough time to make an informed decision: So, we agree that we are bombarded by information, and sorting your way through all of the muck can be overwhelming. And you don’t need to devote your life to figuring it all out. But, take a few minutes away from finding hidden Easter Eggs in the latest episode of Lost, voting for American Idol, and keeping tabs on Britney’s latest escapades (guilty, guilty, guilty), and get informed.

7) It’s against my religion: I’m pretty sure this was a joke. (If you’re curious, he’s Catholic.)

8) All of the candidates suck: Yeah, I have to admit, it often seems like we are voting for the lesser of two evils or voting for one person only because you don’t want the other person to win. And when I get mired down in this, I try and step back and look at the core values of the parties and see where I identify the most.

In order to effect change and get candidates into office that you can actually support, you have to vote. It may not happen overnight, but if we all just throw our hands up with excuses as to why we choose not to vote, it will never happen. So vote, and get a flu shot, it makes you feel good.

Side Note: Despite being hopped on enough prescriptions to require a Monday through Friday pill dispenser, I managed to get my point across (I think) without using the tired adage, “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain”…well, I guess until now. Le sigh. Vote.



*I don’t mean those who fall into the high-risk category or where it "doctor-recommended", I’m not a total jerk.