Where a candidate is running unopposed, check with your secretary of state regarding “write in” candidates. In most states it takes a single page of “notice” and a small fee – and you can be counted! That’s right, I vote for myself for school board and state legislative positions. I know the unopposed jerk will win, but it is a subtle way of protesting the status quo.

As for voting age, it will come soon enough, Jerret. I cast my first vote for the president by voting for Clean Gene McCarthy. There were two votes cast for McCarthy in my county…and the other was cast by a Roman Catholic Priest and prison chaplin.

Life changed for me when we moved away from NYC in 1974…

Still, vote in every election. I use absentee ballots frequently. I know they are counted (unlike Diebold machines) and, I consider my dog-catcher vote as a check on the system. If my name shows up in the offical tally, then it is pretty certain that the rest of my vote was tallied.

Meanwhile, work for a candidate. Get some grass roots experience BEFORE you are of age. You can stuff envelopes, hand out literature and poll-watch without being 18. Get off your butt and do something! Who knows, you might just learn how it works and become the next great leader! Michael Moore ran for the Flint School Board when he turned 18 – and WON! (He ran on a promise to fire a principal – and when he won, he managed to pull it off and lead the contract review!)

I’m in a campaign (or two) every two years. In 2006 I will start my 20th federal election cycle – and I started in 1967! Yes, I’m older than you are – but I’m not dead, or retired and I have served as an alderman….you need a tough hide and a solid reason to run but you might be good at the job….you will never know without trying.

asdf
asdf
qwere
asdf