I love voting day! Ah, the combination of anticipation and concern.

I have been lucky enough to vote in Washington and California. Both have motor voter registration, where you can register to vote when you get your driver’s license. Both have mail-in ballots available so that you don’t have to leave the house if you don’t want to. Both have ample polling places so that you don’t have to spend hours in line to do your civic duty.

I am aware of how lucky I am to have voting be so easy. It’s not that way for all Americans.

Hey, look! No women! A New York polling place, showing booths on the left. Source: Andrews, E. Benjamin. History of the United States, volume V. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. 1912 via Wikimedia Commons.

I have chosen to vote in person for the past couple of years because I like the feeling of community and shared responsibility. And the sticker. Never discount the value of the sticker in this time of social media. (I think Alaska may have the best stickers.)

In the last month I have spent several hours researching candidates, judges, ballot measures, and ballot propositions. Because I want to have a say in what happens in my life, whether at the local, state, or federal level. I believe a few hours of time is such an incredibly small price to pay for the impact those informed votes may have on my life.

I started taking my daughter to the polls with me when she was just a baby, and we are voting together tonight. One of the best things I have done as a parent is to demonstrate the importance of voting.

So, America, this is your chance. Make your voice heard.

I voted! Photo by Dwight Burdette via Wikimedia Commons.