Have Your Say San Mateo!

When it is a presidential election I go to the polls and vote. I am drawn to the excitement of joining with my neighbors to pick a new leader of our country. I am fascinated by the voter watchdog groups monitoring the list of people that have or have not shown up yet to vote.

I love the exit polls, although always decline to give my opinion. Please note, this is one of the few times in life that I actually close my mouth! After countless strangers phone calls asking how I am voting during the preceding week, it just feels like voter stalking. Tell me how you voted now or we'll just get you at the exit poll...

Most of all, I love sporting the "I Voted" sticker given after I submit my ballot. It just gives the perfect accent to my outfit for the day. Not kidding, I do wear it all day while obnoxiously asking everyone I see if they have voted yet.

I am not nearly as driven when it comes to our local election. OK, I admit it, I am lazy or just too busy (or maybe the sticker doesn't go with my clothes that day). Voting by mail has become an invaluable convenience for me.

Unfortunately, this year my requested ballot has not been delivered by the Postal Service despite several calls to the local post office. On the plus side, those same calls did yield a second delivery of mail last Saturday that had been MIA earlier this week including all the missing magazines for the week along with a check thought to be lost in the mail. Bad timing Mr. Postman. 

Now I have to vote in person. Not exactly a crisis, but it does make me wonder how many other ballots were not delivered. And will all those voters that requested them turn up in person for the election instead? Or will they skip it because it's just a couple of measures and they simply don't have time?

Many opinion articles would now switch gears and try to persuade you to vote one way or another. Not me. I just want you to vote!

Vote on the people and things that will have a direct impact on your daily life. It is one of the most important tools we have to be heard by our government. It doesn't require a rally, time off from work, sign making, possible arrest, closing of parks, or occupying a thing or a street. It is immediate gratification that your voice made a difference.

So even if your ballot didn't arrive, like mine, take a few minutes to stop by the polling place and vote. Get a sticker. Thank your poll workers for putting in that 15 hour day. Say hi to me but don't tell me how you voted on the measures. I'll know by whether or not they pass.

To confirm your voter registration status, find your polling place, view or print your voter pamplet, visit the San Mateo County Official Election Site.