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Entry bubble The Day After...

By: Colleen | November 05, 2008 | Category: General

white houseSo yesterday you voted. Three cheers for democracy in action!

Regardless of who you were supporting, I think we can all agree that it's a relief for the election to be over. Living in Virginia, we've been bombarded with political commercials and radio ads. My mailbox has been stuffed to the brim with flyers and brochures trying to sway my vote. The election has crept into my daily life in ways that I never would have noticed before.

For example, right now I am working from home because I have a hot date with the plumber. His name is Joe. So yes, I am literally waiting for "Joe the Plumber" as I write this. 2 months ago? Not one bit funny. Now? Not gonna lie, I'm having a chuckle.

I'm curious to hear how everyone's voting experience went. Predictions were that this election would see a record turnout of people at the polls. Did you wait in long lines, like my sister, who ultimately made three trips to our township building to eventually cast her vote? Were there any problems with your registration? On the other hand, did things go well and efficiently for you? What changes to the voting system would you like to see?

As for me, I voted a few weeks ago via absentee ballot. No lines for this girl!

| View Comments [10] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: absentee_ballot   ballot   colleen   election   political_ads   polls   vote  

 

Entry bubble Get Out and Vote!

By: Joanne | November 04, 2008 | Category: General

voteYou know that it’s Election Day, right? I assume you’ve been getting as many political mailings and phone calls as I have so I don’t know how you could miss it.

Did you vote yet? Are you planning to vote? I would have voted already if I lived in a state that provided for early voting, but I don’t. I’m going to vote during my lunch break today. I always look forward to voting, even if sometimes it doesn’t end up the way I want it to. At least I try and I don’t leave these important decisions up to everyone else.

I hope you’re going to vote today. I’m counting on all you highly intelligent readers of the GovGab blog to weigh in on the future of our country. If you’re not sure if your polling place is still open, check on its hours because they vary from state to state.

If you go out to vote and feel that you’ve been discriminated against or witness voter fraud, there’s something you can do about it. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protects every American against racial discrimination in voting. The law also protects the voting rights of people with limited English skills.

If you have information about voter fraud, you should contact the nearest office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or your local U.S. Attorney’s office or the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

If you know of activities that intimidate, coerce, threaten, or oppress voters based on race, color, religion, or national origin, report it to the Criminal Section of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Now get out and vote!

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: congress   democrat   election   house   joanne   place   polling   president   republican   senate   vote  

 

Entry bubble How Does Your Representative Vote?

By: Joanne | June 24, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

U.S. Capitol buildingYou know how it goes; you pay a little attention to political candidates before an election, and you uphold your responsibility to vote for the candidate of your choice. Once they’re in office you’re too busy to think about what they’re doing with the power you’ve given them.

At the national level, sometimes we see news stories about hot topics and bills being passed by the U.S. Congress. I’ve often seen people write in to USA.gov wanting to contact a high profile member of the House or Senate in order to express an opinion on a topic.

There’s something you need to know about contacting a member of Congress – they answer to their constituents, that is, the people in their voting district. If you really want to get your message through to the Congress, you’ve got to keep tabs on the House Member or Senator from your voting district. When they do something you like, let them know! When they do something you don’t like, let them know! Sometimes I feel like only special interest groups have influence over their members of Congress, but then I also wonder if the special interest groups are the only voices being heard because the rest of us just grumble about public policy in our kitchens.

| View Comments [7] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: bill   congress   house   joanne   law   legislation   representative   senate   senator   vote  

 

Entry bubble Political Activity for Federal Employees (The Hatch Act)

By: Sommer | February 01, 2008 | Category: General

The 2008 presidential election is a really big deal for our country. It’s nice to see so many people turning out for the primaries.

Under the Hatch Act, though, federal, state, and local employees need to use some caution during the campaigning and election process, since they are only allowed to participate in limited activities. Under new laws, most federal employees can volunteer and contribute to the election process, but some restrictions still remain.

Remember that employees of certain federal agencies may not participate in any partisan political activities.

All federal employees may:

  • Register and vote as they choose
  • Assist in voter registration drives
  • Express opinions about candidates and issues
  • Contribute money to political organizations
  • Attend political rallies and meetings
  • Sign nominating petitions
  • Campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
  • Join political clubs or parties

Federal employees may never:

  • Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election
  • Solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before the agency
  • Solicit, accept, or receive political contributions
  • Engage in political activity while on duty, in a government office, while wearing an official uniform, or while using a government vehicle (This includes sending political emails from your government computer and email account.)
  • Become a candidate in a partisan election

If you violate the Hatch Act you could lose your job.  Make sure you fully understand your rights under this legislation before taking up a political cause. 

Happy Groundhog Day tomorrow! Pray that Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow – I’m ready for spring!!

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: election   employee   federal   government   hatchact   sommer   vote  

 

Entry bubble Did You Register to Vote Yet?

By: Joanne | January 29, 2008 | Category: General

Almost all states require you to be registered to vote before election day, and voter registration laws vary from state to state. I think I’m going to change my party affiliation this year and I know that I want to vote in the primary, so I’ve got to complete my registration 30 days before the primary.

Voters at a Polling Station

You can register to vote by filling out a form and sending it in the mail, or you can contact your state election office for other options.  If you want to vote by absentee ballot, there’s paperwork you need to do for that as well, and a special process for voters overseas who want to vote by absentee ballot. Confused yet? To make it worse, deadlines for all this stuff vary from state to state so get the facts from your state elections office early—like now.

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: election   joanne   primary   register   vote  

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