Have we all seen enough election TV ads? Good gravy. If you have to try that hard, candidates, you're probably not a wise choice.
Living in California as I have for decades, in recent years I always vote with a sense of futility. This is especially true since the implementation of "mail-in voting." Very few Californians that I know have much confidence in the state's "system" of vote counting, which tends to drag on for weeks until the ruling political machine's desired outcome is publicly justifiable.
A voter can still cast a ballot at a polling place on Election Day, but you need to be a good gambler. There are fewer locations, and there are often delays, long lines, power outages, and issues with the ballots. Judging by the numerous glitches reported, in-person voting is discouraged.
You wouldn't catch me anywhere near a voter's "drop box," which are stationed on the streets all over town. That's such a telling term--"drop," indeed. I don't even "drop" it into a USPS mailbox.
Earlier this month I mailed my vote. Ever since mail-in ballots started a few years back, I always hand-carry my sealed/signed bright yellow envelope into the local post office and present it to the counter clerk, announcing "This is my ballot." The clerk dutifully nods, takes the envelope, and tosses it into a bin. In the ensuing days, I get progressive email notifications that my ballot has been a) received by the Post Office; b) sent to the Registrar's office; c) received at the Registrar's office; and d) counted.
This is the best I can do with the current California voting "system." Even so, I've reconciled myself to the fact that my vote is probably either a) inconsequential or b) in the circular file.
How I miss walking a few blocks to a neighbor's garage to stand in line with other neighbors, to vote in person on Election DAY, and to learn the results that night. As an old song laments, those were the days, my friend.
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| For decades, I wore my "I Voted" sticker all Election Day. Now it goes in the trash as soon as I open my mail-in voter packet. |
