TECHNOTES: Vote Today!

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican, Democrat, Independent, part of the Green or Libertarian party, or another, today’s the day to get to the polling stations and vote!

Voting is both a privilege and responsibility in our country yet 20% of our country is not registered.  According to a Pew survey, 27% of these people intend to vote but just haven’t gotten around to registering yet.

Don’t assume your neighbor, co-worker, doctor, or even friends are voting…ask them.  Perhaps they are part of the 27%.  Send them the link to register online so they can vote in the next election.

Absentee Voting 

Some states allow you to change your status to an absentee voter.  This means that you receive your ballot in the mail and can send in your vote weeks ahead of the election.  Or, if you are a procrastinator, you can either drop it in the mail the day of the election or take it to any local polling location (check with your state).

I have been an absentee voter for at least 10 years.  Why?  because it’s convenient.  I get my ballot sent to me weeks before the election and I can take my time filling in who and what I will vote for.  I don’t need to stand in line to vote in a box for each individual candidate, measure, and proposition.  I save a lot of time through absentee voting.

However, I never mail in my absentee ballot.  One of the main reasons for this is I like to hand deliver my ballot to the polling station…with my children in tow.  I want them to see the polling place and know that as Americans, we vote. 

I turn in my ballot in a box and we all march out of there with our “I voted” stickers on our way to school drop-offs.  It’s a tradition I’ve done with my kids ever since they were small.  They are teenagers now.

On-site voting is still good, and there isn’t always a line.  It’s definitely part of the voting experience. 

But if you weren’t aware of the ease of absentee voting and your morning and evening commute makes it hard for you to make the polling stations, absentee voting is a great convenience. 

It also works great for stay-at-home moms, as voting in a small booth with your children can be a bit taxing.

Over half of our states offer no-excuse absentee voting.

Where to Vote?

You will always find your polling location on the back of your Voter Information Guide booklet.

But if you don’t have it handy, check out this polls locator site or let Snapchat show you on voting day…vote today!

But Wait, There’s More!

There’s more to voting than helping shape your state/country/city and getting the fun little “I Voted” sticker.  Across the United States, there are a number of restaurants that want to encourage you to vote today.

Although this is not an exhaustive list, here are a few of the perks awaiting you…

Taco John’s – use the Taco John’s Rewards app to get a coupon for a free order of chips and Nacho cheese (which coincides with National Nacho Day).  

Shake Shack – show your “I Voted”sticker and get free fries with any purchase

Corner Bakery Cafe: get a free hot or cold brewed coffee your “I Voted” sticker and any purchase

Baked by Melissa – get a free cupcake by showing your “I Voted” sticker

Blaze Pizza – no free food, but free delivery if ordering through their app

A lot of these deals are being offered on Twitter, Instagram, and others rather than on the restaurant’s actual website. 

Search for “I voted free food” to find offers from restaurants near you. 

Just wear your “I Voted” sticker around today and you might be surprised which restaurants reward you for voting.

So what are you waiting for?  Get out there and vote today and let your opinion be counted!  Then go pick up a treat…you did good!