Well here we are again in the month of November and on the first Tuesday of the month. It is time to vote. Being in the hinterlands of Minnesota the past four days allotted me the luxury of not hearing the last second smear tactics of the two major parties and allowed me time to reflect on all the candidates out there. Remember that other candidates will be on the ballot outside of President Obama and Governor Romney.
So, if you are in a state that is solidly red or blue then use your sacred right to vote for a candidate that reflects your beliefs, thoughts, and direction for this country as one will often find that the Democrat or Republican candidate is a lessor of two evil decision. Not to mention the fact that if a third or fourth party candidate can garner enough support they too will be able to be on the national stage with our current two-party system.
In the end, make sure you get out and vote. The state of Minnesota has a couple of extra bonus votes this year in addition to electing our Representatives. We get to vote on amending our State Constitution.
First we have the Voter ID Amendment that would require all Minnesotans wishing to cast a vote in any election to provide a government issued ID to do so. A YES vote makes this requirement a NO vote doesn't add it to the State Constitution.
Second we have the Marriage Amendment that proposes to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. A YES vote puts it into our State Constitution, a NO vote doesn't put into our State Constitution.
While the first Amendment should be a slam dunk for everyone as it improves our process by using current technology to ensure our process is free of error. The second Amendment isn't as cut and dry; at least not for me. The reason I don't see it as cut and dry is because the concept of marriage is a rite of passage within ones religious dogma and is not a right nor should it be considered a right that the government ought to define.
In the end, again, get out and vote and if there is any indicator that has been more accurate on the Presidential stage..one can skip that vote because the Redskins lost on Sunday which means that Governor Romney wins.
Showing posts with label Election Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election Day. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, April 13, 2009
Minnesota Senate Race: How Minnesotans contributed to quagmire
Easter Monday has arrived and Minnesotans still only have one sitting Senator in the United States Congress. The Three-panel judge review of 400 rejected ballots which resulted in a net gain to Al Franken. Norm Coleman’s camp intends on taking the fight to the Minnesota Supreme court and possibly onto the Federal level. Many are worried that Minnesota is not getting fair representation and that Norm Coleman is just dragging out the recount for political gain.
After the original election results were counted, Norm Coleman held over a 700 vote lead and then after the recount Al Franken led by 225 votes. The swing resulted in the counting of rejected absentee votes. We all agree that if one voted that one’s vote needs to be counted. Minnesota faces a larger problem going forward regardless of how Coleman/Franken shakes out. As was evident during the Canvassing Board review of votes, the application of voting rules were not applied equally.
By allowing the election results to be reviewed by the Canvassing Board, Minnesotans watched a breakdown in the democratic process. According to Minnesota statute, M.S.204C.22, all ballots must be counted if it is possible to determine the voter’s intent. Determine voter intent? WHAT!!! As a citizen that votes, I do not want someone determining my intent which is why I follow the instructions on the ballot. Voter’s who cannot follow the simple instructions is to blame for the actions taken after the election results were announced.
That being said, all ballots that did not follow instructions – absentee and ones cast on Election Day – ought to be tossed out. Count only the ballots that Minnesotans followed the instructions correctly then crown the victor. The Minnesota statute needs to be revised to ensure a Canvassing Board does not have an opportunity to determine voter intent through the bias of their political affiliation. There are ample examples to prove that voter intent was not applied equally. Personally, I don’t care which clown gains the seat. Just apply the rules equally.
After the original election results were counted, Norm Coleman held over a 700 vote lead and then after the recount Al Franken led by 225 votes. The swing resulted in the counting of rejected absentee votes. We all agree that if one voted that one’s vote needs to be counted. Minnesota faces a larger problem going forward regardless of how Coleman/Franken shakes out. As was evident during the Canvassing Board review of votes, the application of voting rules were not applied equally.
By allowing the election results to be reviewed by the Canvassing Board, Minnesotans watched a breakdown in the democratic process. According to Minnesota statute, M.S.204C.22, all ballots must be counted if it is possible to determine the voter’s intent. Determine voter intent? WHAT!!! As a citizen that votes, I do not want someone determining my intent which is why I follow the instructions on the ballot. Voter’s who cannot follow the simple instructions is to blame for the actions taken after the election results were announced.
That being said, all ballots that did not follow instructions – absentee and ones cast on Election Day – ought to be tossed out. Count only the ballots that Minnesotans followed the instructions correctly then crown the victor. The Minnesota statute needs to be revised to ensure a Canvassing Board does not have an opportunity to determine voter intent through the bias of their political affiliation. There are ample examples to prove that voter intent was not applied equally. Personally, I don’t care which clown gains the seat. Just apply the rules equally.
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