It's Time

It's time folks. Time to do what we need to do if we are going to make ourselves heard: VOTE!!!

Those of us who have been blogging about the election know where we stand on the candidates. Many are out there stumping for their guy, and trying to predict which way the wind will blow tomorrow and the day after.

I haven't been as active as those who are down at the candidates' campaign headquarters because I am very leery of the Hatch Act. In about 18 months it won't matter anymore, but for now I'll stick to a very conservative approach. So what do I recommend?

1 - Know your candidate. Know who it is you are voting for, and why. I hope you aren't going into the booth still wondering who is who and how they differ.

2 - Got questions? Get your phone out and call the Board of Elections:

General Information 312-269-7900
Judges Department 312-269-7984
Community Service 312-269-7851
Registration Verification 312-269-7936
TTY for Hearing Impaired Only 312-269-0027

3 - See a candidate gladhanding voters INSIDE the polling place? Register a complaint, starting with a judge and see above if you need to call the Board and complain.

4 - Remember that only one of the candidates can win. If yours doesn't you still need to be able to work with the winner to make changes happen in the ward. Build that bridge, even if it is limited to de minimis required to maintain a civil society.

5 - Forgive those who have really annoyed you with their blogposts, this was not a religions war, or shouldn't have been. I think the idea of everyone showing up at a local watering hole to share a few cold ones is a good way to start rebuilding the relationships that may have frayed. See The Broken Heart for more some comments about that idea.

6 - Follow up on the actions that were clearly out of line -- threats in any venue and pink postcards included. Intimidation is never appropriate during an election. It's the electorate's time to be heard and to speak.

7 - Stay in touch with the ward's progress and hold your representatives accountable at all levels for their actions, or lack of action. If your candidate wins but fails to perform, stay on him. And if he hasn't got it together in 4 years, accept that 4 more ain't gonna change much. Be ready to do this again.

I have only met one blogger in person so far. I am pretty sure I passed another sitting outside his office one sunny Sunday. It would be interesting to meet those I have only connected with electronically. Regardless of our differences, we all have the same goal in mind -- making and keeping RP a great place to live!