It’s time to get ready. The upcoming general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8, will have very important consequences for Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and the country. Our democracy is at stake.
There are many important and contentious races. It is critical that “We, the people” be involved in these serious decisions. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
Here is a sequential list of suggested steps to take:
1. Commit to vote!
If you are a sometime voter (SV) and usually skip non-presidential elections, commit to voting on November 8. It is important.
If you have never voted (NV), commit to starting now. You are especially important, because you are likely to be more objective than voters affiliated with a political party. We need bi-partisanship, not polarization. We need you.
2. Register to vote or check your registration.
If you are not registered to vote, do so now. Go to vote.pa.gov or .vote411.org to register. You must be registered to vote by Oct. 24.
If you have recently moved, changed your name, or have not voted recently, ensure that you are properly registered to vote. Go to vote.pa.gov. You must make updates to your registration by October 24.
3. Make a list of your major concerns.
Abortion? Climate Change? Crime? Democracy? Economy? Education? Energy? Guns? Health Care? Immigration? Political Extremism? Public Safety? Racism? Other?
4. Identify who is on your ballot.
This will vary, depending on where you live. While all Pennsylvanians will see the same candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and U.S. Senator, the candidates for U.S. Congress, State Senate and State Representative will vary by voting district. By going to Vote411.org and entering your address, you see exactly who will be on your ballot.
5. Study multiple trusted media sources, in print and on-line, to determine each candidate’s position regarding your major concerns.
Because of the seriousness of this election, there is extensive media coverage, both nationally and locally. The more sources you study, the better your decisions will be. On the League of Women Voters election portal, Vote411, you can find each candidate’s biographical information, links to their campaign website and links to their social media platforms.
For new candidates, you will be limited to learning about them through their biographies and position statements; for incumbents, you can look at their voting votesmart.org allows you to enter a legislator’s name to find voting record information.
All candidates must own their statements, positions and votes on bills. Many sites, including the League of Women Voters’ Vote411 site, give candidates the opportunity to answer relevant questions, out of respect for voters. If candidates decline to provide these statements, consider not voting for them.
Don’t select a candidate simply because of name recognition or party affiliation. Check their record. Vote for people, not parties.
6. Make tentative decisions about your preferred candidates.
Make a note of the candidates you plan to vote for and take it with you to the polls.
Discuss your views with your family, friends and associates. Continue to be open to trusted information that may cause you to change one or more of your tentative voting decisions.
7. Decide whether you will vote in person or via a mail-in ballot.
Voting in person has the advantage of making you feel part of your community. Voting by mail will save you time.
If you intend to vote by mail and you haven’t yet applied for a mail-in ballot, go to vote.pa.gov or go in person to the Bucks County Administration Building in Doylestown or to the Quakertown or Levittown Government Service Center Board of Election Satellite offices. Your application for a mail-in ballot must be received by Nov. 1.
Vote. Smart.
In the last non-presidential election four years ago, 65% of Bucks County residents voted. Let’s commit to increase that percentage! If not now, when?
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