Get Out The Vote

It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in his political affairs.
-Albert Einstein

This past Tuesday, June 5, 2012 was California's Primary Election.

Of the 1.02 million who are of voting age within the City––there are 1.3 million total––83% did not vote. Whether they are unregistered voters or those who simply just couldn't find 5 minutes at some point of a 13 hour time period, this number makes me want to vomit.

I will admit that when I turned 18 registering to vote was not the first thing I had on my mind. I was more concerned about applying to college, enjoying my senior year of high school and making sure I made it on time to swim practice at 5 a.m. There also wasn't going to be another election for at least another 11 months after I turned 18, so it didn't seem like there was a big rush. I also didn't vote in my very first eligible election either, which would have been in 2006. As an 18 year old I didn't know a whole lot about public office outside of the President and my state's governor. However, as time went on, and I got a little older, I soon became excited about voting.

Of course it is impossible to make others find the same enjoyment I have in the democratic process; you may even call me a poli-wonk. I'm sure everyone slept just fine this past Monday night, while I was up all night with pre-election jitters. But, I am not asking for anyone dream at night that he or she is a character on The West Wing like I do. However, if you want my opinion, and I know you do or you wouldn't read my blog, I feel you need to vote.

There are a lot of candidates on the ballot, and a lot of issues to learn. I was not an expert on every single candidate and proposition on the ballot, but trust me, I knew enough to make a very informed decision while having a life and even checking my Facebook more than I probably should have.

Instead of a scolding, which I want to give to all of the non-voters and uniformed voters out there, I will offer just some helpful hints. One being that it's best if you stay on top of current events and issues instead of trying to learn them a few weeks or days before an election. It's far less daunting. Another is to get a Twitter account. It's a bit confusing at first but easy and rather addicting after spending some quality time with it. Third is to get involved, somehow. Volunteer in a political office, go to a city council meeting, help out on a campaign, go to a community event. When you get involved it makes the civic process important because it becomes a part of you.

For those of you who don't know, I just recently finished up working on a campaign, as we didn't make it through the primaries. This is a biased statement, but I do wholeheartedly believe that if people actually cared to learn about the candidate, or made the effort to go vote, the campaign probably wouldn't be over.

Though the feeling I've carried with me since Tuesday night is akin to the feeling one gets after a break up, I haven't lost my zest for civic engagement. It is only stronger.

I have about 20 voter registration forms in my possession right this minute. Let me know if you need one.