Written by: idahojen
10/31/2008 10:20 AM

I don't know about you, but I have been inundated with requests to help out on Election Day to get people to the polls. As much as I want to, I'm a stay at home mom of a two year old. That makes getting out and doing stuff like that complicated.

I'm guessing there are a lot of you out there like me -- jobs, kids, aging parents, and other obligations. And, as much as you want to help on Election Day, you'll be doing good just to get yourself to the polls to vote, much less anything else.

Since you will be going to the polls anyway (as I KNOW you will), make it a family affair. This is less stressful and less of a time commitment. But it helps get people to the polls. Call or email your cousins, siblings and friends to remind them to go vote. Take your ailing parent with you (if physically & medically possible) to the polls so she or he can cast their vote.

Consider going as a family. Take your partner and your kids with you to the polls. Make this an annual family tradition. (Yes, I DID say ANNUAL since there are elections every year, not just the presidential years.) Use this as an opportunity to teach your kids about their civic responsibility and opportunity to vote. Sit down with them ahead of time to discuss issues and candidates. Then, consider taking them into the voting booth with you so they can see the process and how it works. How often do we avoid things in life simply because we don't understand them? Don't let a thing like voting be one of those mysteries to your kids. Afterward, on the drive or walk home, ask them if they have any questions about the process and what they saw. Maybe sit down and watch or listen to the polling results with them.

We have listed a bunch of websites that should be useful to you & your kids about the elections. All are non-partisan and some may be entertaining as well as informative.

Although it may not seem like much, getting just one or two additional family members to the pollls may make a difference in many races coming up. Don't discount the impact you could have!

Copyright ©2008 Jennifer Grush-Dale

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