Rock the vote!

I hope you voted. Well, if it matters to you. If it doesn't, then ignore this post. :-)

I voted. Proudly.

Men and women have been in uniform all around the world fighting for our rights as free American citizens since we established ourselves as a country in 1776.

I may not have the courage to wield a gun on foreign soil, but I will do my part and take part in what has been fought for and given to me.

Election Day has been set as the "First Tuesday following the First Monday of November" which can happen as early as November 2nd, like this year, or as late as November 8th, like next year.

This year is Midterm Elections, meaning no Presidential candidate is on the ballot. Every two years the following are voted upon: House and Senate members. House members serve 2-year terms and thus are on the ballot every time, but Senate members serve 6-year terms, staggered so that at every election 1/3 of the Senate is up for grabs.

The most interesting thing I read about Election day was how it was decided upon to happen on a Tuesday.  As a farming society in the mid-1800's, Farmers needed at least one day to travel to the County Seat to vote.  Therefore, since Sunday was reserved for worship and Wednesday for market day, Tuesday was chosen.

Also, it looks like we are the only country in the world to hold elections on a Tuesday. Now, some states in the U.S. do recognize today as a Civic holiday so as to encourage voting, but there are only a handful.  Voter turnout is low, but as the years have progressed and people have taken greater advantage of early voting (and they've removed more and more restrictions concerning early voting), this has improved, which I think is wonderful!

I am proudly supporting my "I Voted" sticker and will do so all day. I hope you are, too, fellow Americans!