By Don C. Reed
Voting : a simple chore, perhaps, but packed with power and consequence.
Sometimes it boils down to a personality coflict. like Kennedy vs. Nixon. Other votes are tests of political machinery, Dems v. GOP: which side is the best organized and financed. And there are those which may change our lives: like Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act. (1)
As I see it, President Trump always seems to want more power. He told Governor Gregg Abbott of Texas to re-draw five voting districts to benefit Republicans (2). This was done, giving Republicans a tremendous advantage. Can it be balanced?
Proposition 50 will allow Democrats to fight back: to re-draw five districts in California, balancing the Trump additions.
When the vote-by-mail materials arrived. I studied it, Googled, it, looked up its supporters. Prop 50 is backed by top-notch people: former President Barrack Obama, current California Governor Gavin Newsom, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, to name a few: and groups like the California Nurses Association, the California Labor Association, California LULAC, California Planned Parenthood Association, California Federation of Teachers, and many more. (3)
And one mild day, cold by California standards, I slipped on a loose brown sweatshirt, and got out my clickable pen.
Proposition 50… What joy to cast my YES vote: not just for an opinion, but to shape the future.
This was it, the democratic instant: a quiet thrill, low-key, but a solid satisfaction — the vote. Using dark blue ink, I filled in the appropriate bubbles, signed the outside of the envelope, (on the space provided) folded and inserted the sheet — licked and sealed the glue strip — and ran it to the Post Office.
Well, perhaps not actually ran — at 80 years of age, I am in no hurry — but still I provided my own transportation.
Outside the Post Office, I slipped the envelope into the big blue receptacle, listened to the clunk as it landed — and walked home happy.
Don’t miss your own Democratic instant.
Fill out your California ballot and turn it in, by whatever legal form you choose — on or before November 4th — the deadline is upon us — do it today!
We want to win, and win big.
Vote YES! on Proposition 50.
Questions? Go to the URL below(4)
1. https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/quick-reference-guide/50.htm
3. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxydpr1zz2o
4. https://stopelectionrigging.com/how-to-vote-faq/