The polls open at 6:00 a.m. for those who like to begin Election Day by exercising their freedom to vote in the General Election. The polls close at 7:00 p.m. In such a close Presidential contest, all votes are powerful.
If you have children, even young ones, consider your act of voting to be what Dr. Maria Montessori called “a teachable moment.” Explain the important freedom and responsibility you are about to exercise, in terms they can understand. My five-year-old granddaughter is excited to accompany her parents to vote.
“I’ve never voted before!” she told me. She has a basic knowledge of the process, but–more importantly–the significance of being able to choose. Sometimes I allowed my children to punch the name I wanted on my ballot card.
Middle school children and above have knowledge of candidates and their platforms. When I taught in Prophetstown, IL, we had every child K through grade 6 register and then vote for the President in simple–but private–booths. There were “exit polls” taken to contrast with the actual counted ballots, and compute statistics. At the end of Election Day, the school’s winner was announced over the intercom. You could hear cheers all along the hallways!
Even if you are not strongly supportive of some candidates or not properly informed of their credentials, you can make a responsible choice. Choose a reason.
- Retain those who have served and desire to continue serving, unless you have a commanding reason to deny them the opportunity.
- Pick the candidate that is “the lesser of two evils,” if necessary. Politics is seldom perfect.
- Have faith that a newcomer will learn the task and serve you well–after a learning period.
- Vote the party line to show solidarity.
- Cross party lines to reward people you feel have done a good job.
- Where there are several candidates for County Board, pick some of them, even if you cannot choose the limit.
- Vote your “bias” and choose all men or all women.
- Vote for the campaign advertising you find least offensive.
Whiteside County Clerk Dana Nelson has published a Specimen Ballot for the Tuesday, November 6, 2012, General Election.
Print both pages to make your voting preferences easy.