Forum Post: Occupy Voting Booths Tuesday November 8th, 2011 ELECTION DAY (Read This)

As Americans, it is our right to peacefully assemble, protest, strike, and make our voices heard. It is also our right to vote so that we may ensure that we elect the best possible candidates to lead us and represent the places we live. This movement is doing great things in a short amount of time due to the collective knowledge and resources that the 99% are contributing. To create real lasting change, we must engage in the democratic process. Political participation is essential to moving forward and making progress.

One meaning of the 99% is voting power. Voting should be taken more seriously and it begins with awareness of the process of registering and learning about the current members of office as well as their challengers. Primaries have become increasingly more important, but Election Day in November is when power shifts from one person to another. It occurs on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which means it can be November 2nd at the earliest and November 8th at the latest. Everyone should recognize it as one of the most important days of the year. For reference, it will always be after Halloween and before Thanksgiving. It should receive the same attention as Christmas, New Years, The Super Bowl, Memorial Day, or the 4th of July. There should be a law to make it a national holiday where the majority of workplaces are closed so that more people can have time to vote rather than being confined to early morning hours or after the workday between 5 and 8 pm. It may take as little as ten minutes to complete the process of signing in, waiting, and casting your vote. The rest of the day should revolve around rallies and celebrations reminding people to vote, informing people about the candidates, and helping people reach their designated polling place if they are not able to get there on their own.

While most people may consider presidential elections to be the most important time to participate, elections are held every year for various state and local positions that can have a direct impact in our lives. Everyone should be aware of the primary or general elections taking place in their towns, cities, and states.

Here are some things you can do this week to participate in the upcoming election. If you are not sure if you are registered to vote, every state has a website that will help you find this information by reporting your full name, date of birth, and county. You can also register online via http://www.rockthevote.org/ and other places as well. Once you are registered, you have a responsibility to participate. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_elections,_2011#Gubernatorial_elections is a list of all elections takings place next week as well as some that have already occurred. Read about candidates on their campaign websites or local newspapers. Call their campaign office and speak to someone who supports them. Inform other people in your neighborhood that an election is taking place even if you are certain they would not normally care or vote. If you live in a state with referendums, read one to get an idea of what it means and how it might affect your life.

If you are part of an occupy movement in a city, there may be a mayoral election in 5 days. How has your current mayor handled the movement? Do they support you? Should you support them? Organize a team of representatives to write the incumbent a letter so that they may better understand what your beliefs are. If the response leads you to believe they are not the best person for the job, you have the power to vote for the other candidate.

If we want to revitalize our economy, reform the financial industry, create a better education system for our children, have cleaner air water and food, reduce unemployment and homelessness, and improve our health care system, then we must find the right leadership to represent our democracy.