“Why do you vote?” Kara Jo Perry-McKee asked us that question on
the TogetherOklahoma Facebook page.
Why do you vote? For me, it's easy. And it's not so I can complain after the election.
I vote because my parents would know if I didn’t. They’d
come down from Heaven and yell at me. They both loved to vote, to participate.
Mom was a New-Deal Democrat and Dad was an Eisenhower Republican. They joked
that their votes cast each other’s out, but it didn’t matter. The act of voting
was a solemn obligation, a privilege. An act of citizenship. A responsibility.
After Dad retired, they spent every Election Day volunteering as poll-watchers.
Mom for the Dems, Dad for the Republicans. In the same room all day, but in
different corners. Thoroughly enjoying themselves.
How could I not vote with that example? My first vote was in
the Presidential primary of 1968. We lived in Bloomington, IN, and as IU students,
our polling place was the county courthouse. We stood in line for at least an
hour with other university students…and I proudly voted for Bobby Kennedy.
I’ve always voted. I took my kids with me when I voted. I’ve
registered and followed the voting rules of three states. I’ve written
about my frustration with my profession…educators historically have a very
poor voting record…and that frustrates me. I’ve not been polite about my
frustration, I fear.
I will vote in the June 28 primary with pride…nearly fifty
years of exercising my responsibility.
Primary rules and regulations can be frustrating. Indiana has a strange primary system…open, but…you are only
allowed to vote for candidates running in the party you cast most of your votes
in the last election…so Indiana keeps track of your voting patterns and limits
you to one party. Iowa has open primaries – you declare a party when you
register, but on election day, you can change your party and vote in whichever
primary you choose. Here in Oklahoma, we have a closed primary, with
Independents being allowed to vote in the Democratic primary.
We can work within the rules set for us. I remember
educators choosing to change their party affiliation two years ago so they
could vote against the then Superintendent
of Schools. As it turned out, the election wasn’t close, and the dentist’s
own party rejected her overwhelmingly. Many of those educators changed their
party affiliation after that primary.
This year, I’m frustrated that the Cleveland County races
are between Republican candidates, and will be decided by Republican voters. I
have strong opinions about the candidates for CC Sheriff, but I’m not allowed
to participate…I will be represented by an official I was not allowed to vote
for…or against.
As a Democrat (that doesn’t surprise anyone, does it??), I
will only be allowed to vote in one race, for US Representative. Lucky for me a
friend is running, and I will proudly vote for Christina Owen! It’s exciting to
vote for a friend.
I can vote on Tuesday at my polling place, or I can vote
early Friday or Saturday (I frittered today away, or I could have voted all day). I also could have voted by mail, but was initially intimidated
by the requirement of getting my ballot notarized. I learned that any tag
agency will notarize my mail-in ballot for free, so I may try that again.
But I will vote. Once, not ‘early and often’ like we joked
in Chicago. One vote, proudly cast. For only one candidate.
There are many tools for us voters. The OK Election
Board’s Online Tool allows you to type in your name and birthday (none of
your business), and learn your precinct, polling place, and all elected
officials. There is a link to see a sample ballot, so you can go to the polls
prepared.
There are tools to help you learn more about candidates:
- BlueCerealEducation has written a brilliant series of blog posts profiling current legislators and candidates.
- OkEducationTruths is writing a Top Ten reasons to vote.
- Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education Facebook group has endorsed candidates we believe are pro-education, pro #oklaed.
- I’ve compiled a list of legislative candidates who are educators or related to educators.
- The League of Women Voters also has information for voters. You have the information to research and make informed decisions.
This is the year of the education coalition…educators and family
who stepped up to run for the legislature, to risk everything to do the right
thing for our students, and for #oklaed. This is the year that we all must vote
for candidates who will work for our schools. We have heard that many
incumbents feel no urgency from these challengers…some incumbents do not
believe we will vote. We must.
Vote. If you’re my friend, vote.
Vote for candidates who are committed to our children and
our schools and our communities.
Vote and confound the career politicians who do not believe
we are ready for change.
Vote.
