Right Now: Voices of the League

  • Voting Absentee While Abroad

    By: Stephanie

    The first time I voted it was by absentee ballot. It was 2004 and I was studying abroad. In between semesters, when I’d been back home in the States, I’d watched the debates between presidential candidates, and I was excited to finally be able to participate in our democratic process by voting in the presidential primaries. I knew my candidate wouldn’t become the nominee, but it was exciting to know that my vote was being recorded and counted. I was getting a chance to have a say in my government and who would represent me in the years to come.

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  • Voting and Hurricane Sandy – Updates For Affected States

    By: tobrien

    Last week we shared updates on changes in voting procedures in the many states affected by Hurricane Sandy. These states sought to mitigate the impact on voters. Over the weekend several new changes have been announced in New York, New Jersey and Maryland.

    Below are the new changes voters need to be aware of as of 9:30 am ET on Monday November 5, 2012:

    New York:

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  • Childcareless? Take Your Kids to the Polls!

    By: Shirley

    As my children were growing up, I often found myself trying to juggle voting on Election Day with taking care of their needs. In those days few, if any, states allowed early voting and voting absentee had strict guidelines. And, for me, childcare was not an option.

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  • Tomorrow's the Day! What's Your Election Day Plan?

    By: Elisabeth MacNamara
    Use VOTE411.org to get the election information you need

    In less than 24 hours, polling places across the country will be opening their doors and welcoming voters to cast their ballot for president and many other state and local officials.

    Do you have the information you need to cast your ballot on November 6th? Use VOTE411.org to build your personalized voting guide that will include up-to-date information you need to cast your ballot, including your polling place location, who is on your ballot and voting rules.

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  • Many Roads to Democracy

    By: Nancy

    In recent days, I have been fortunate to witness first-hand how the League of Women Voters is contributing to democracy around the world.  First, is watching the many, many League volunteers around the country work tirelessly to get voters the help and information they need for the November 6 election.  League members everywhere have been registering voters, holding candidate forums, issuing voter guides, and working with election officials and partner organizations to get voters the help they

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  • Early Voting Improves the Experience

    By: bgardner

    I exercised my right to vote early today. I’d like to think I’m an experienced voter, my first vote was during the Vietnam War. Today was by far and away the best voting experience I’ve ever had. The poll workers in Alexandria, VA were efficient, organized and pleasant. There were no lines and they made sure that everyone knew what was on the ballot before they went in to vote.

    Kudos to you Alexandria poll workers! Great Job!

    And if you don't know who is on your ballot, use VOTE411.org to find out before you head to the polls.

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  • It’s My First Election!

    By: Stephanie

    Please Note: This blog post was written by our intern Cristine Lovato

    Since the 2000 Presidential Election, I have been anxiously waiting to get the opportunity to vote. I went as far as creating a mock election ballot for my elementary school for the 2004 Presidential Election so I could feel like I was contributing to the election in some way.  The 2008 election was the most frustrating for me; I was four months too young to be eligible to vote in California. I knew I would have to wait another four years.

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  • If You Don’t Vote, You Can’t Complain

    By: Sara Sanders

    As a child, I heard countless times “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain about the way the country is going,” as my parents spoke to the television when a talking head was espousing some negative view or to a family member who hadn’t taken the time to fulfill their democratic duty. Being an avid complainer in my youth (and, let’s be honest, to this day), my parents’ voting tagline was a sound argument to me. If you want to complain about the problems, you have to first do your part. You have to be a part of the solution, and that solution is speaking up and voting.

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