Shari Della Penna
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"Small acts of kindness can change and humanise our world."
   Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks 1948-2020
   ​Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, 1991-2020
                         Author, Advocate, Advisor

It's Election Day (Again!)

11/7/2017

2 Comments

 
And [Lillian] knows full well she would not be standing here today were it not for the people who marched. . . and the people who died. . .  for her right to vote. Lillian touches her finger to the lever.
from Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
written and illustrated by Jonah Winter
Schwartz & Wade Books, 2015
 
       I vote. Period. I feel the responsibility. I always have.
       Some people don’t vote. They all have reasons, some bad, some not quite so bad. (judgementalism, oops.) But really, this is my chance to make a difference. The people on my ballot today are local: school board members, city council hopefuls, judges, and the mayor. Issues will affect people in my city, my county, and my state.
       I remember voting with my mom.. 
       When my girls were small, we’d pile into the car and head out to the fire station, transformed into a polling place for the day. We’d collect the pencils, nail files, and postcards, meant to encourage last-minute choices.  We’d walk up to the registrar. I’d sign my name.
       Then we’d walk into the actual booth. Since I didn’t allow the kids to pull the levers, even though they really, really, wanted to, one was the curtain closer and one was the opener.
       I won’t say I never missed a chance to vote. But I voted on an absentee ballot when I was away at school. I voted in person when my oldest daughter was a month old. I voted early when I knew I would be on vacation.
       I voted last year when the choice was so important. I don’t really understand the Electoral College very well, but I think some significant improvements can be made. Something that considers the popular vote and each state’s majority might be a good place to start.
       I voted when my kids were small. They saw me do it. Now they vote, too. They take their kids.
       Some things don’t change; and they are fine the way they are.
                                                   
                                                                   --stay curious!
2 Comments
Lynda Boucher link
11/7/2017 10:27:11 am

I also have always voted. It is our civic responsibility, in my humble opinion. Just sayin'.

Reply
Shari Della Penna link
11/9/2017 09:19:11 am

Thanks for the comment, Lynda, and the encouragement!

Reply



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         I'm a children's writer and poet intent on observing the world and nurturing those I find in my small space .

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