Hey folks, Harry here... No movie news on this page - sorry... Well, that's not exactly true, but that's not the primary purpose for this posting. We have all sorts of people here in the United States. Folks that keep their politics private and those that shout their politics from mountaintops. I'm the type that speaks up. Can't help it, if I don't like something, I like to exercise my right to bitch to anyone anywhere that clicks and reads. I like to draw parallels and metaphorically blend my politics into my interpretation and analysis of films and the characters and stories in them. That doesn't mean any of you have to listen or even take it to heart. That's me.
Today, however, is ELECTION DAY 2004. In 2000 - I encouraged Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Slackers to get out and vote. Right now, I keep hearing that only about 58% of the registered voters are going to actually cast a ballot this year... and that that's amazing! That means 42% Voter Apathy. That 42% of us just don't give a shit. That's... Well that's discouraging.
I understand it to a degree. I live in the heart of Texas. In Texas, the state has swung so far over to the right, that we've allowed re-districting to grow grotesque... The election scene in this state is ludicrous - and so out of line with my personal politics that I sometimes feel like... "What the hell is the point?" I mean, whether I vote or not - the candidate I don't support is going to win here. Yup, as most of you know, I'm quite liberal, and you all know George Bush Jr is going to carry my state with ease. So... Why vote?
For me, it's to make sure George doesn't carry TRAVIS COUNTY again. It's a small goal... a tiny victory if we can pull it off, but dammit, it's a start. A place to dig in our heels and draw a line in this particular bit of sand. Every friend, everybody I know, I've been working to vote. Ultimately, I'm not there in the booth with them to say "VOTE KERRY," but in the end... on this Election Eve - I'm proud to say that every single one of my friends has voted. Last time, only 15% of my friends did. In fact - there's only two people I know haven't voted. My father and I. Tomorrow - Bright and Early we'll cross the railroad tracks and enter that church at the end of our street and I'll show my identification... and I'll play with the new video game election dealio and log my vote. And I'll get my spiffy, "I VOTED" sticker. Then - I'll go all over the place and show off my sticker, hoping to make folks envious enough to go get a sticker of their very own.
Then tonight - I'll hanker down with some friends... in a wireless setting of glee - and I'll watch the election on an enormous screen - checking sites like crazy to catch the latest... and hopefully... I'll be happy. But even if my candidate doesn't win, I voted. I count.
So do you.
Whoever you are. No matter your religious or political standing. Whether you are a goth, a gamer, a boob tuber or a flicker freak - you count. Vote. Choose a side and root for your winner. This is an incredibly important election. Personally, I feel it is the most important election of my 32 and 11/12ths years alive. Last time we saw how tight the elections can get. Be a part of it this time.
Below is a piece that a friend of mine put together about voting and how every vote counts. Who is this guy? Well, if you ever read REBEL WITHOUT A CREW by Robert Rodriguez - you remember that Robert borrowed a 16mm Camera from a friend of his that wasn't using it that summer. Robert then went out and shot EL MARIACHI with it. Well, Keith here did a great thing in loaning that camera to Robert... but today I think he offers something far better for each of us. A way to find out where each and every one of YOU can VOTE today. Here ya go:
Q: Does my vote really make a difference?
A: "Just" one vote can and often does make a difference in the outcome of an election.
EXAMPLES IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS
• In the 1829 election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Kentucky's 2nd District, Jackson Democrat Nicholas Coleman defeated National Republican Adam Beatty 2,520 to 2,519.
• In the 1847 election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Indiana's 6th District, Whig candidate George G. Dunn defeated Democratic candidate David M. Dobson 7,455 to 7,454. Also in 1847, Whig Thomas S.Flournoy defeated a Democratic candidate named Treadway 650 to 649 in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd District of Virginia.
• In the 1854 election for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 7th District of Illinois, Democratic candidate James C. Allen bested Republican William B. Archer 8,452 to 8,451.
• In the 1882 election for U.S. House of Representatives in the 1st District of Virginia, Readjuster Robert M. Mayo defeated Democrat George T. Garrison 10,505 to 10,504.
RECENT EXAMPLES IN NONFEDERAL ELECTIONS
• In 1977, Vermont State Representative Sydney Nixon was seated as an apparent one vote winner, 570 to 569. Mr. Nixon resigned when the State House determined , after a recount, that he had lost to Robert Emond, 572 to 571.
• In 1989, a Lansing, Michigan School District millage proposition failed when the final recount produced a tie vote, 5,147 for, and 5,147 against. On the original vote count, votes against the proposition were ten more than those in favor. The result meant that the school district had to reduce its budget by $2.5 million.
• In 1994, Republican Randall Luthi and Independent Larry Call tied for the seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives from the Jackson Hole area, with 1,941 votes each. A recount produced the same result. Mr. Luthi was finally declared the winner when, in a drawing before the State Canvassing Board, a PingPong ball bearing his name was pulled from the cowboy hat of Democratic Governor Mike Sullivan.
• In 1997, South Dakota Democrat John McIntyre led Republican Hal Wick 4,195 - 4,191 for the second seat in Legislative District 12 on election night. A subsequent recount showed Wick the winner at 4192 - 4,191. The State Supreme Court, however, ruled that one ballot counted for Wick was invalid due to an overvote. This left the race a tie. After hearing arguments from both sides, the State Legislature voted to seat Wick 46-20.
My name is Keith Kritselis, and I have a couple websites that I am trying to publicize.
The website's goal is to help voters find their polling place. Our database of online poll locators has been slowly growing. We now can get 63% of the US population the exact location of their polling site in 4 clicks or less. For the other 37% we provide a local phone number where they can call to get the information they need. This service is free to the public, it has no political affiliation or agenda, and I truly believe that civic participation is the key to a responsive government. This is a small 1 man operation with no marketing dollars. Anything you can do to help get the word out would be greatly appreciated.
As a sister site, I have created with my friends Ben Davis and Dan Heyman, BlogTheVote.Org
In running the polling site, I've been getting a lot of people upset with their local county polling site, and looking to complain to someone. I cannot do much to help specifically, but we decided to create a blog where we list news stories of election problems. We have cataloged over 200 articles in 34 states, and it's growing by the hour. The content is organized by state so a user can click on their state and read about any problems in their region...
Thanks,
Keith
Get Out And VOTE!
