Regardless of your party affiliation or worldview, it is important to cast your vote in the upcoming 2024 general election. This election will determine how our country and the world move forward.
Voting is a right, a responsibility, and a duty for us Americans, and we should think carefully about who we vote for. After all, we are giving the candidates our representative power to govern.
Every office or change on the ballot is so consequential these days. We vote not only for our own interests, but also for the future of our children and grandchildren.
Staying home and refusing to vote is irresponsible. As is throwing away and wasting a vote in protest for someone we know has no chance of winning. It is so important that our votes count.
Let’s break free from this divisive “us versus them” mentality, consider the issues at hand, and vote with intention rather than herd mentality. I’ve spoken to so many people lately who simply vote along party lines or base their decision on personality alone.
Ultimately, we all pay the price for our collective vote, regardless of the outcome of the election.
Let’s not neglect our constitutional right and then spend the next four years complaining about the way things are run in this country. Every vote counts.
Hillsborough County deadlines are fast approaching, folks.
• If you have not yet registered to vote, you have until Monday, October 7. You can do so online at https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home/.
You must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Florida, a resident of the county in which you wish to register, and at least 18 years of age to register and vote. You must not have been declared mentally incompetent in Florida or any other state without having your right to vote reinstated, and you must not have been convicted of a felony without having your right to vote reinstated.
If you prefer, you can visit one of the five Hillsborough County Elections Office locations and register in person, or download an application and mail it to the address provided. As a reminder, the application must be postmarked by October 7.
• To vote by mail, you MUST REQUEST a ballot no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 24.
In order for votes cast to be counted, they must be received by the Hillsborough County Election Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day (November 5).
This method is ideal for people who work odd hours, find it difficult to vote in person, or have transportation problems and do not have anyone to help them get to the polling station.
• Early voting will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. October 21 through November 3. Polling locations for this phase of the election can be found at https://www.votehillsborough.gov/VOTERS/Early-Voting/.
During the week of October 16, sample ballots will be mailed to all registered voters who have not requested a mail-in ballot so that they can make their selections in peace before going to the polls and then take the sample ballots with them to cast their vote.
• And to vote in person on Election Day, you must go to a polling place on Tuesday, November 5, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. To find your polling place, go to https://www.votehillsborough.gov/VOTERS/Election-Day-Voting/.
Now is a good time to check your voting status. For more information, call 813-744-5900 or visit https://www.votehillsborough.gov/.
Lois Kindle is a freelance writer and columnist for The Observer News. You can reach her at [email protected]/.
