Are Ohioans Receiving the Message About Voter Reforms?
| By mswhite - Nov 12th, 2007 at 3:15 pm EST |
| Also listed in: Female political bloggers | Ohio Bloggers |
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Categories: Honest and Ethical Government, Election Reform, Civil Rights and Equality
Categories: Honest and Ethical Government, Election Reform, Civil Rights and Equality
I had an ah ha! moment on last Friday evening. It came while I was on the corner of Broad and High Streets. There was a conversation that was going on about the recent election. I listened as a group of adults gave their opinions about the recent results. There was a continuing doubt that was expressed about voting, that did not surprise me. The belief that the process has been tampered with so much- that it is not worth the effort anymore. The group of individuals that were having this discussion were people who have not received informaiton about reform efforts. I mentioned this to see if they were aware of what has happened around this issue. No one in the group knew anything about the reforms in Ohio.
I have heard some form of this conversation in other sections of the city. The people who are engaged in discussions concerning voting seem to still feel that going to the polls is not a trust worthy experience.
Even though there has been a major effort to spread the word about the reform process, the message is not getting out. Neither are some of Ohio's most important voters. The members of groups who are affected by decisions that are made daily.
Many people are still skeptical after the 2004 National Election Fiasco. The experiences that many voters had during that election have left them feeling uneasy and unsure about voting.
We are one year away from a National Election again. Right now it is difficult to perceive who will be the candidates for the office of President. This is one of the most important elections that "we the people" participate in as citizens. There should be no major questions raised in our state about voting. We need to be actively working on bringing about needed changes. We also need to work on educating voters about the reforms.
I have decided that this issue is of major importance period. It is the issue that will be the major focal point of my blog. I will be taking time to do extensive research and writing on Voter Rights and Voter Reform. I feel so strongly about this part of the political process. It is a right that has to have defenders.
It is also the right that needs an image make over. Voting is a dual responsibility situation. The State of Ohio is responsible for providing a voting atmosphere that encourages participation by all Ohioans. We as residents of the state need to be working to educate apathy away from voters.
Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner is committed to providing what is in order for the process. There are individuals and organizations that are also working to improve the voting climate in our state. We must continue to work in our respective communities on restoring faith in the system of voting.
I also plan to actively work within the community on this issue. Not just sit at my keyboard and write about what should be done. I plan to get out and go to work on this issue. There needs to be interaction with other voters who have not been updated on the information about reform.
It is not going to be an easy task. Working to change people's mindsets about a situation never is easy. Their actual at the polls experiences have been on a level of disrespect and exclusion from voting. Turning their focus on what has happened, what is in progress, and what still needs to be set in motion is a hard sell. Not impossible.
Voter Rights and Voter Reforms are not just limited to the state level. There is reason to be watchful over the individuals that the Bush Admininstration want to place on the Federal Elections Commission. This was demostrated by his nomination of Hans von Spakovsky for a six year term on the FEC. The record that he has made on the issue of Voter Rights is not one that indicates he is FEC material. The fact that he was nominated indicates that we must keep watch on all levels of government.
The people of Ohio must be the ones who determine if the reforms are in place and working.
I have heard some form of this conversation in other sections of the city. The people who are engaged in discussions concerning voting seem to still feel that going to the polls is not a trust worthy experience.
Even though there has been a major effort to spread the word about the reform process, the message is not getting out. Neither are some of Ohio's most important voters. The members of groups who are affected by decisions that are made daily.
Many people are still skeptical after the 2004 National Election Fiasco. The experiences that many voters had during that election have left them feeling uneasy and unsure about voting.
We are one year away from a National Election again. Right now it is difficult to perceive who will be the candidates for the office of President. This is one of the most important elections that "we the people" participate in as citizens. There should be no major questions raised in our state about voting. We need to be actively working on bringing about needed changes. We also need to work on educating voters about the reforms.
I have decided that this issue is of major importance period. It is the issue that will be the major focal point of my blog. I will be taking time to do extensive research and writing on Voter Rights and Voter Reform. I feel so strongly about this part of the political process. It is a right that has to have defenders.
It is also the right that needs an image make over. Voting is a dual responsibility situation. The State of Ohio is responsible for providing a voting atmosphere that encourages participation by all Ohioans. We as residents of the state need to be working to educate apathy away from voters.
Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner is committed to providing what is in order for the process. There are individuals and organizations that are also working to improve the voting climate in our state. We must continue to work in our respective communities on restoring faith in the system of voting.
I also plan to actively work within the community on this issue. Not just sit at my keyboard and write about what should be done. I plan to get out and go to work on this issue. There needs to be interaction with other voters who have not been updated on the information about reform.
It is not going to be an easy task. Working to change people's mindsets about a situation never is easy. Their actual at the polls experiences have been on a level of disrespect and exclusion from voting. Turning their focus on what has happened, what is in progress, and what still needs to be set in motion is a hard sell. Not impossible.
Voter Rights and Voter Reforms are not just limited to the state level. There is reason to be watchful over the individuals that the Bush Admininstration want to place on the Federal Elections Commission. This was demostrated by his nomination of Hans von Spakovsky for a six year term on the FEC. The record that he has made on the issue of Voter Rights is not one that indicates he is FEC material. The fact that he was nominated indicates that we must keep watch on all levels of government.
The people of Ohio must be the ones who determine if the reforms are in place and working.
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The paperback version has a new chapter that lays out what should be done starting on page 372:
1. Vote EARLY at designated polling stations (days before election day itself) and encourage others to do so also.
2. DON'T, DON'T, DON'T Mail in your ballot. It's easy for the bastards to disenfrancise your vote if you send it in according to Palast's research.
3. Register people---Palast writes---"In Ohio, as in some other states, the creepy new reguslations used to hinder registration drives only apply to PAID registration gatherers, not volunteers. The inexcusable shame is that the Dem Party has to employ mercenaries to gather registrations. So go out and register voters. What are you doing this Thursday that is more important?"
4. Vote unconditionally, not provisionally---Palast says most provisional ballots end up getting thrown out.
5. Join the Party---any Political Party and get active.
There are other suggestions if you're interested. You seem to be on the right track!!!