Is Everyone in Your Home Over 18 Registered to Vote? Why not?

Voter registration is the first and simplest way to get involved with our political system. In Minnesota it can be as simple as showing proof of residency and having someone vouch for you at your polling location on the day of elections. I however advocate that you fill out the simple one-page form and send it to the Secretary of State. Here is a link/web address: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204

WHY VOTE? Because every vote counts, just ask Al Franken! The decisions that elected officials make affect our everyday life. They make laws. Except for property taxes for schools, they are directly responsible for our property taxes. In the case of schools, they choose what will be proposed on the ballot as a tax levy.

This year in Inver Grove Heights we will be electing/re-electing several seats on our School Board. Happy with the way our schools are being run? Then go vote for the incumbents. Are you unhappy about our schools? Then vote to retire and replace one or more of the incumbents. Educate yourself on the issues, and then go vote.

PARENTS, do you have children who are 18 or over or will be by Election Day? Are they registered to vote? Why not? As parents part of our job is to groom and nurture our children to become productive members of our society. How we do this is as individual as each of our children are. However, we can make registration as simple as possible for them: Simply print the form, fill it out, have them sign it then mail it, while at the same time explaining to them why it is important to be ready to vote when the time arises. Getting them to the polls and actually voting, however, is a different story in itself.

THE NUTSHELL SUMMARY: The political system we have here in America today does not work without educated voters. That does not mean voters with a college degree. It means everyday people who take a few minutes out of their busy lives to learn about the issues and vote their conscience. Everyone’s life stories, experiences and values are different, the larger the variety of voters the better our political system works.

WHAT I AM ADVOCATING FOR: Get yourself and your family ready to vote, then educate yourself, advocate for others to get educated on the issues and then everyone hit the polls this coming November.