VOTE!

[Leav]

I'll keep this short and to the point, while trying to tip-toe around the forum ban on politics and keeping this as neutral as humanly possible.

Please DO NOT turn this into a political thread endorsing any candidate/party or political stand.
Also, if you were wondering I'm an American citizen and I, of course, voted (would have been pretty hypocritical If I didn't :) ).

Voting is one of the most important things you can do.
Any responsible citizen should vote if allowed to do so.
You should vote.
Vote.

-Leav

[Steve W]

If you don't vote, you can't complain.

[Branden Ghena]

If you don't vote, you can't complain.

And I soo love complaining! That's why I voted. :D

[clark_noah]

If you don't vote, you can't complain.


but I can't vote, I'm not 18 yet..... :(
so I think I should be able to complain since this will impact my generation the most.

[EricH]

I already voted. Miracle of absentee ballots and all that.

I think it actually goes, If you can vote and you don't, you can't complain. If you can't vote, you can complain.

Doesn't necessarily mean those who did vote have to listen to your complaining, though.

[Bill Gold]

I'm voting Tuesday, as I have done in every election that I've been of age to do so.

[IndySam]

I voted Thursday. This will be the first presidential weekend since I turned 18 that I won't be working at a pole on election day.

[DarkFlame145]

I voted for my first time on Sat. I had to wait 45 mins, but it was WELL WORTH IT. To know I had a say for once in MY Government. I wont say who I voted for. But I have supported him since he announced he was going to run.

[Andrew Schreiber]

I will be voting (going in to work late to do so)

Just an addition, make an INFORMED vote. Meaning, "Well, all my friends are doing it" is NOT a valid argument for voting any more than it is for doing anything else.

For more information maps.google.com/vote (http://maps.google.com/vote)

[Joe G.]

I can't vote (too young) but encourage everyone, no matter who they support, to do so. But...


Just an addition, make an INFORMED vote.


YES. I have heard FAR too many frivolous reasons to vote for or against either of the major candidates, which an alarming number of people actually listen to. The ONLY consideration, in my mind, should be who's policy will, in your opinion, take the country in a better direction.

If we can build robots, we can vote responsibly too.

[Alivia]

I early voted this past Friday, where it was a 2 hour wait!
Needless to say, I was very excited because it's the first presidential election I've been able to participate in.
I'm real excited to watch the coverage on Tuesday! I've blocked out my entire night to see how it all pans out.
So, in conclusion, I agree.
If you can...

GO VOTE!!

=]

[Cow Bell Solo]

I can't vote but I am still getting involved by being an Election Judge

[Roger]

I've blocked out my entire night to see how it all pans out.I remember my mother doing this when I was a small child. Sorry, but I rather have a good nights sleep and hear about it the next morning. I'm also not much of a political junkie. I do vote!

I just hope, for your sake Alivia (and I suppose, the rest of the country ;)) that it won't end up like the Bush/Gore situation and you'll have to block out November, December, and part of January to see how it pans out. :)

[Wetzel]

CNN is looking into why my wife and I have not received our absentee ballots yet. It will be hard to vote in person from London.

Wetzel

[IKE]

A good site to check out is:
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

It does a reasonable job of posting ballot measures for each state. It also does a reasonable job of posting both sides of the argument. Remember Ballot Measures are put up by very enthusiastic groups, and opposed by equally enthusiastic groups. Please vote informed.

[JesseK]

It's a good thing I like the rain, as I'll stand in it to vote.

Which brings up another point. Unless there's a tornado or lightning strikes your building, or barring some other personal conflict or catastrophe, there is no excuse to not vote if you're registered. My grandparents, back in the day, had to walk through 3 feet of snow uphill both ways so they could vote. That was a feat because my Oma was only 5 feet tall! :cool:

[Grant Cox]

I already voted. Miracle of absentee ballots and all that.
Same here. Enabling lazy college students to get out and vote without actually "getting out" to do it is a great thing :)

[RoboMom]

CNN is looking into why my wife and I have not received our absentee ballots yet. It will be hard to vote in person from London.

Wetzel

CNN is also looking into why all the students who were legally registered to vote during a drive in Sept. were informed yesterday by the Board of Elections that they are not eligible to vote until next year, starting Nov. 5, 2008.
This is in Easton PA.
My 18 year old and hundreds of other students are furious.
I'm having a deja vu.
The same thing happened to me many many years ago in Syracuse NY, while I was in college.
It went quickly to the courts.
I won. I voted.
And last month I voted by absentee ballot sent to me at home and mailed the day before I left on this adventure.

[ChristinaR]

I'll definitely be voting, although I'll be driving ~220 miles round trip to do it! (leave it to me to run out of time for submitting the absentee ballot application).

[Andrew Schreiber]

CNN is also looking into why all the students who were legally registered to vote during a drive in Sept. were informed yesterday by the Board of Elections that they are not eligible to vote until next year, starting Nov. 5, 2008.
This is in Easton PA.
My 18 year old and hundreds of other students are furious.
I'm having a deja vu.
The same thing happened to me many many years ago in Syracuse NY, while I was in college.
It went quickly to the courts.
I won.

This is what I am worried about, after hearing about all the disenfranchisement of young voters I am fearing that I will be told I cannot
vote. Can someone explain what a Provisional Ballot is, I have heard them mentioned a couple times and am curious. If it makes a difference I am voting in Michigan.

I'll definitely be voting, although I'll be driving ~220 miles round trip to do it! (leave it to me to run out of time for submitting the absentee ballot application).
Wow, that shows dedication. You deserve a cookie for that :D


Best of luck to all you fighting for your right to vote.

[Michelle Celio]

I early voted last week, about a 45 minute wait. Voting was quick, I did my research before hand. We had a scantron type ballot.

Getting registered to vote was not an easy task for me. The state of Florida registered me in the wrong county, and never told me. Because they did this, they also decided to suspend my voting privileges because of the fact that I was registered to vote in a county I have never lived in. I had to re-register twice in order for them to correct the situation. I got my voters card maybe two weeks ago.

[Graham Donaldson]

CNN is looking into why my wife and I have not received our absentee ballots yet. It will be hard to vote in person from London.

Wetzel

Read today about a couple that flew to NYC from India to vote because they didn't get their ballots. Talk about civic duty...

My problem: I've lived in the US for the past 10 years, had a green card for the past 5, and my parents still can't vote (I couldn't either if I was 18), but they're taxed. Taxation without representation, anyone?

[RoboMom]

vote. Can someone explain what a Provisional Ballot is, I have heard them mentioned a couple times and am curious. If it makes a difference I am voting in Michigan.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provisional_ballot

[Andrew Schreiber]

Thank You, that was very helpful, it is good to know there is a system in place to help.

[Koko Ed]

Considering all of the people who fought and died to peserve our way of life and the right to vote the least you can do is vote!

[artdutra04]

Tomorrow I'm driving an hour to my hometown in Connecticut to vote. There's just something that feels a lot more concrete about registering to vote in person at town hall and voting in an actual booth at the local school. (Although I will miss the old mechanical voting machines this year...)

My problem: I've lived in the US for the past 10 years, had a green card for the past 5, and my parents still can't vote (I couldn't either if I was 18), but they're taxed. Taxation without representation, anyone?Two words: dual citizenship.

http://www.uscis.gov/naturalization

[Meredith Novak]

You all are so amazing. As long as our young people are engaged and informed, our country will have a great future! My children are all political junkies (like their mom) and it is our non-robot family activity. I was honored to attend one (won't say which in the interest of non-partisanship) of the national party conventions as a member of the delegation from Arkansas. There were several college students in attendance. If you are interested, I would recommend that you look into the delegate selection process for the candidate of your choice in 4 years. It was an amazing experience to be at the convention. Of course, I talked about FIRST to every politician I could get to stand still and listen!

[Graham Donaldson]

Two words: dual citizenship.

http://www.uscis.gov/naturalization

We're applying for it...I just think it's a little wrong that you have to live in the US for 10+ years, paying taxes that you may not agree with, before you can vote and do anything about it. The nation was founded upon that principle...I would think we'd try to avoid being so hypocritical and give the right to vote to immigrants when the feds say they can live here permanently.

Just my $.02.

[EricVanWyk]

Getting registered to vote was not an easy task for me.

I'm sorry to hear that - We hear too many horror stories about disenfranchisement.

Fortunately, registering in NH was remarkably easy - much easier than in NY (for me at least). I went to City Hall during lunch, handed them a gas bill and a copy of my lease, and was out in 10 minutes.

Lets see how the actual voting goes - I'll be headed that way in an hour or so.

[Andy Baker]

I voted this morning, and was in and out in twelve minutes. Voter turnout in this small town seems to be the same every year.

Andy B.

[wilsonmw04]

Just got back from the polls. 10 minute wait. Easy as pie and I had the cheesiest grin on my face as I left the building. There's something really cool about having the right to vote and exercising that right, don't you think?

[Joe Matt]

Got up at 5:40am to vote, usually get up much later than that for work (yay short commute). I waited 5 minutes, brothers who were oddly in a different district waited another 30 minutes. In and out quickly. Voted no on provision 6, yes on 5, and voted to increase taxes to pay public schools. As for president, take a guess. ;)

After that hit up Bob Evans with said brothers then went to work. Great day so far.

[JaneYoung]

There's something really cool about having the right to vote and exercising that right, don't you think?

What's cool is exercising that right as a family. My family decided to take advantage of the early vote a couple of Sundays back and went together to vote. Entering the polls with my adult children and my husband was a moment I will always treasure and never forget or take for granted.

[wendymom]

I was in line at 6:30am and out the door at 7:50. Thats pretty good here in Florida. I agree with everyone that says there is something about voting in an actual machine at your precincnt. Half my neighborhood was in attendance and it became a big party. The thing that made me the proudest was watching my son and my best friends son cast their first presidental ballots.

Then we went to Chick fil A and got free chicken sandwiches!!!!!

[Jessica Boucher]

I voted in the building right next to SNHU, where Kickoff is held. They were already out of "I voted" stickers.

And Art, I heart those old CT voting machines! Filling a bubble just isn't as satisfying as sliding that massive lever over to the left.

[Kyle]

Voted, well last week technically because I have to work today then go to class, gotta love absentee ballots!

[Andrew Schreiber]

+1 Informed Vote.

[ManicMechanic]

Don't forget to vote in non-presidential years and primaries -- they count, too!

I was voter #80 at ~ 8:00 am today, about 20 people in the room. Last election, I was voter #29 at 5:30 pm, no other voters in the room. That election, on the page of about 20 names where I had to sign in, not a single other voter (except my husband) had signed or requested an absentee ballot. Also that election, one of the local candidates in a neighboring district won by 1 vote.

Your votes matter even more in years that "don't seem to matter as much."

[MrForbes]

I rode my old Schwinn over to the fire station and cast my ballot. It's a nice warm sunny day here.

[EricVanWyk]

On my way into the polling place (a local school), several of the local runners were there. I managed to ask them a few questions, which made me much more comfortable with my vote.

Also, fastest/friendliest voting ever.

NH politics for the win.

[Dan Richardson]

I voted!

This morning the line was around the building, I came back after lunch and walked right in.

Voting is extremely important. In a country that has historically promoted democracy it is important to set a good example.

I'm Dan Richardson and I approve this message.

[DarkFlame145]

I voted!

This morning the line was around the building, I came back after lunch and walked right in.

Voting is extremely important. In a country that has historically promoted democracy it is important to set a good example.

I'm Dan Richardson and I approve this message.

Agreed, it is one of the most important things an American can do IMO

[gorrilla]

Agreed, it is one of the most important things an American can do IMO

also agreed,

and did anyone notice how many other people were running for president besides Obama and Mcain? anyone know what the most amount of people that have ever run before?

[DarkFlame145]

also agreed,

and did anyone notice how many other people were running for president besides Obama and Mcain? anyone know what the most amount of people that have ever run before?

Indeed, i did see that i was like "WOW, who are these people and what parties are these?!?!?!?"

[Billfred]

Done and done. I woke up at 6:30, and it took three attempts--the first two times, the line was out of the local church's door, around the corner, and growing. I went on in to work, got out early, and caught a break: no line. I took longer reading the posters on the wall (out of idle curiosity alone) than in the booth. Then again, that's maybe a good thing; South Carolina has a three-minute limit on voting.

They were out of I Voted stickers here as well. It's a problem I'm willing to withstand.

[hipsterjr]

I voted in SC @ noon and it took me 4.5 hours to go through the line. No one can say I didn't do my civic duty. I'm wondering what effect the next president will have on FIRST.

[tim_reiher]

But Billfred, if you didn't get an "I Voted" sticker how could you get your free ice cream at ben and jerry's?


This is an outrage I say! Outrage! (the sticker... I wasn't judging the outcome in any way...)

[Laaba 80]

Obama wins.

Joey

[Andrew Schreiber]

Obama wins.

Joey

The more important thing is that America voted. The act of informed voting is more important than who or what you vote for.

[Jon236]

I seem to remember President-elect Obama speaking of the need to fund science and technology education. Let's show him what FIRST is all about!

[Alivia]

Now if only we could find a Lego Robotics team for his daughters to join..
:D

[dtengineering]

Congratulations to our southern neighbours on what sounds like an outstanding turnout at the polls.

Jason

[waialua359]

Go Obama! Hawaii born and raised!!!!
I guess Team 2090 has its #1 fan now, our nations new President. :D

[Billfred]

But Billfred, if you didn't get an "I Voted" sticker how could you get your free ice cream at ben and jerry's?


This is an outrage I say! Outrage!
Simple--there aren't any on this side of town. (Actually, I don't know of any in Columbia at all anymore. Scary.)

(puts on moderator hat)

Also, note that CD has, historically speaking, not taken kindly to threads of political grumbling. Keep it civil.

[gorrilla]

please try and keep your political opinions out of here, this thread was not started for that reason, it was just to encourage people to perform their civic duty and vote.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Also, fastest/friendliest voting ever.

NH politics for the win.

I have to agree here. 20 minutes for my family to vote ... and my wife even had to register at the polls / Town Hall :D

NH making voting easy.

[JaneYoung]

Congratulations to our southern neighbours on what sounds like an outstanding turnout at the polls.

Jason

Thank you, Jason. :) You didn't have to say that but you did.

--

For whatever reason, today takes me back to my younger years and some of the music that filled the senses, thoughts, and daily commentary:

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.

- Bob Dylan

[KelliV]

I voted for my first presidential election yesterday (I tried to vote early but the lines at 69 W. Washington were 4 hours long), and then I got the opportunity to attend the Obama rally that was held right at my school's front door in Grant Park and be a part of history.

[jordie228]

I seem to remember President-elect Obama speaking of the need to fund science and technology education. Let's show him what FIRST is all about!

TRUE STORY! Let's do it!

-jordie

[Andrew Schreiber]

Jane, first off, nice choice in music :) Next, I do hope that President Elect Obama, and all of us, heed the message. Times are changing, now is no longer the time for partisanship and fighting. We must unite behind the man we all decided would lead us and support him as he tries to do whatever he considers best for our country.

That being said, never cease watching your leaders, never stop questioning them. Just don't rip on them constantly.

And yes, this applies to our current President too, for those of you who criticize everything he does please do so respectfully, the man is doing his best.

This concludes a plea for us all to behave graciously towards each other. Thanks for listening.

For whatever reason, today takes me back to my younger years and some of the music that filled the senses, thoughts, and daily commentary:

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.

- Bob Dylan

[dtengineering]

Thank you, Jason. :) You didn't have to say that but you did.

--



I pretty much had to say it... our recent federal election had voter turn out of about 60%. Pretty shameful, actually. On the other hand, the entire campaign... from start to finish was over in six weeks, and the result... a Conservative minority with Liberals, Bloc and NDP opposition was exactly what we had heading in to the election... albeit with a few more seats held by the Conservatives. Kind of lacking in the drama of an American campaign... both in a good and bad way.

On the other hand, National Geographic says that Turkmenistan has 99% voter turnout. And strangely they all support the president! :rolleyes:

Jason

[Laaba 80]

The more important thing is that America voted. The act of informed voting is more important than who or what you vote for.

I didnt say who I voted for, Im not 18 yet. I would say who our president is pretty important.

[Schnabel]

Hey I'm allowed to vote for President now!

[Jim E]

Thank You to everyone who performed the greatest civil duty ( other than Jury duty) that any American citizen can perform. In some Florida counties, it was an unprecedented 80% turn-out. Palm Beach County surpassed 60%.

This was a tough and expensive campaign. It has been published that Obama spent over $10.00 per vote while McCain spent $6.00 for every vote.

Be vigilant over the programs brought forward in the next 2 years. Be watchful for political favor spending.

FIRST funding shouldn't be political, and tax money directed towards science and technology belongs in the hands of groups that can best effectively exploit the resources, and not who donated the most to a candidate's campaign.

Congress needs to be reminded who puts them there. The money they spend today will be paid for in your generation.

[artdutra04]

I seem to remember President-elect Obama speaking of the need to fund science and technology education. Let's show him what FIRST is all about!http://change.gov/agenda/technology/

It seems that many of the ideals of FIRST line up nicely with the goals of our President-Elect.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's all remember that the federal government is going to have to make some sacrifices in order to get our deficit back under control. This may mean that things like federal financial support for programs such as FIRST may have to wait until such a time when the federal financial situation improves.

But things like tax credits for companies who get involved in FIRST and help inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists here in the USA may be a much more likely scenario.

[Pat Arnold]

http://change.gov/agenda/technology/

It seems that many of the ideals of FIRST line up nicely with the goals of our President-Elect.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's all remember that the federal government is going to have to make some sacrifices in order to get our deficit back under control. This may mean that things like federal financial support for programs such as FIRST may have to wait until such a time when the federal financial situation improves.

Just a reminder about our three branches of government. Your money is spent through Appropriations Bills passed by Congress and signed by the President. Your Congressman needs to support FIRST's goals as much or more than President-elect Obama.