it's time to vote!
I vote once every two years for midterms and presidential elections. Which, while better than not voting at all, makes me a fraud (there's a better word I'm looking for that's alluding me).
I preach about local politics and the importance of being involved, yet I miss countless opportunities to effect the "small" stuff. Quotes around small -a gnarly little adjective- which I'm asking to lift much more than its meant to.
Because local politics isn't small. It's how quickly the potholes are filled and what type of buildings are built in my city (affordable housing or empty, soulless offices). It's how fast (or slow) my commute is and how we deal with the houseless.
So yes, on the grand scale of national politics, local is small. But when I look out my window, small politics is the only thing I see.
With my confession out of the way, this year I have decided to no longer be a hypocrite (ah! the word I was looking for earlier). I will vote Nov 4th, despite my amazing mayor running uncontested and the lack of any ballot questions.
Which brings me to the purpose of this article: in the past, I've felt anxiety at the poll booth. I've had no idea what to expect other than the issues canvassers care enough to knock on my door about.
But a few months ago, my professor showed me the Sample Ballot Lookup on Ballotpedia!. A great tool which does exactly as it says. Plug in your address, and you'll see the ballot! So now, I'll be spending my afternoon combing through my options for city councilors and preparing for Nov 4th.
Wish me luck, I hope you'll do the same, and I'll try to update again after!