We Be Illin'

In 2007, the United States ranked 139^th in voter participation out of 172 world democracies. That’s right - 139^th place. If voting is a basic indicator of democratic health, what does 139^th place say about our democratic well-being?  To quote Run D.M.C. – we be illin’.

How might you help fix what ails us?

• Register To Vote if you have not already done so.  For the Presidential election, you must register to vote by October 31. Registration forms are available at your CCV center and at your Town Clerk’s office.

• Get Educated.  Don’t let your neighbors or the pundits make up your mind for you.  Check out Project Vote Smart to learn the candidate’s biographies, voting records, issue positions, ratings, speeches, and campaign finance information. All politicians. Instantly.  The U.S. News & World Report says Vote Smart would make the U.S. Founders “weep with joy” and the Indianapolis Star contends the project “may be the most useful voter information project in the country.”  You might also want to check out the Campus Election Engagement Project's nonpartisan 2012 Presidential Election Voter Guide, which concisely summarizes the candidates' positions on major issues, drawing on the work  Project Vote Smart has done on their candidate guides and rounded out with their own research.

• Hit the Polls on November 6. Registering to vote is a great step, but you have to follow through with the deed to make a difference.  Be sure to bring an ID to your polling location.

We’re curious – are you planning to vote?  Let us know.