You can do it; figure out the forms, register, vote on all the petitions and initiatives – YOU control your vote.
If you need to print out the form, it is at THIS link. Your application to register to vote needs to be postmarked by October 17th. If you are going to be out of town, or are otherwise unable to vote, you can get an absentee ballot at this link. Voting is a duty and a responsibility. We get the worst government we tolerate, and the lower the voting rates become, the less oversight “We the people” are providing for our own government.
Photo by Deborah Sirotkin Butler.
To get a similar sign, here is a link for ordering. While the Massachusetts Legislature also known as “The Great and General Court” voted to show support for overturning Citizens United – YOU can weigh in on this issue when you vote. You can also weigh in on whether, and how much, doctors and governments should control how end of life decision making is handled, and whether nebulized marijuana is available to patients such as my now-deceased husband. For the initiatives, and pro and con statements, go here and here. Note that after my experience over the previous four months, I am voting in favor of both Question Two and Question Three. In part, I am doing so as the decisions involved in both these questions should be left up to the patient and their doctor, and not be subject to an absolute ban. Some of why is here.
As to the Citizens United issue, I was particularly encouraged by an OpEd in today’s globe by Jim Leach, a former Republican congressman. A quote:
“I would like to address what I consider to be the Supreme Court’s second-gravest historical error – the 2010 Citizens United ruling – and how this singular court decision moves American politics in an oligarchic direction.” – for the whole article, use this link.
And if there are students now at universities (not at home) remind THEM about absentee ballots, and registering. Every vote will count about double in this election given the number of folks who do not vote.
