EDGEWATER -- I got my absentee ballot the other day and was bowled over by how much it includes. It begins with the candidates for president which number 12 in all. including Roseanne Barr/Cindy Sheehan for the PFP party whatever that is.
Of the 12 I recognized four of the party abbreviations. Oh yes, there is also a space to write in someone who does not appear on the ballot. Yikes! After that there are two senate races, two state representative races, clerk of circuit court, three supreme court judges to decide if you wish to retain office or not, county court judge, sheriff, county council chair, county council District 3, and because I live there, city of Edgewater city council.
If that weren’t enough, the back page begins the 12 constitutional amendments in English and Spanish and a Volusia County school board referendum.
If I were going to go to the polls to vote, I would be stunned by how much I had to read and how long voting would take me. I think many people will be very surprised to see so much they have to sort through and decide about before they make their mark on which way to vote.
Seems to me this will make voting an extra long process. I’ve read several of the amendments over numerous times and still am not sure what they really are saying or what I should do and I have the rest to go yet.
My mom asked me if she just voted for president and didn’t vote on the other things would that be ok? I truly don’t know but think more than likely they won’t count the ballot if all items are not voted on. I tried all the phone numbers on the website to try to ask that question but they all gave me a busy signal and I can’t get through.
My mom asked me if she just voted for president and didn’t vote on the other things would that be ok? I truly don’t know but think more than likely they won’t count the ballot if all items are not voted on. I tried all the phone numbers on the website to try to ask that question but they all gave me a busy signal and I can’t get through.
So at least I have time to slog my way through all of the things I must make a decision about. I am really happy I am not voting at the local polling place thinking I’ll just run in and vote for the president and be gone. I write this to give you all a heads up what awaits you so if you think you might just do this on your lunch hour you probably won’t have enough time.
Not everyone who votes gets a newspaper or uses the Internet and they will have no clue what to expect. Just reading and trying to fathom the amendments is a time consuming proposition so be prepared. Try to find out what you’ll be voting for before you get there so you don’t have to read and re-read taking your time and holding up others waiting to cast their ballots.
I hope this blog helps you be prepared for election day.
Editor's Note: You don't have to fill in every contest in order to have the races or amendments counted that you do select. Those left unfilledare counted as blank.