Dear Crabby, Is It Too Late to Register to Vote?

Dear Crabby, I can’t believe it’s already October. Which means election day will be here soon. Is it too late to register to vote?

Thanks!
Betty Bipartisan,

Dear Betty Bipartisan,

You’re cutting it close, but you’re in luck. The deadline in Michigan for registering to vote by mail or in person is Tuesday, October 9. If you’re reading this and live in another state, I recommend using the Google to see if your deadline is different. Back to us Michiganders … now if you’re gonna register by mail, you have to print and fill out a National Voter Registration Form. Once you’ve done that, you send the completed form to your local election official. Now here’s where you need to pay attention: your form must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 9. Otherwise, do not pass go, do not collect $200, and definitely do note vote on Tuesday, November 6. If you’re feeling bold and want to go register in person, you can go see your township clerk, or head over to the Secretary of State, which is where most folks go. If you’ve moved or just have a wonky memory, you can check to see if you’re already good to go here.

Dear Crabby sits infront of his laptop

Dear Crabby Gives Advice

Of course, back in my day, when a fella registered to vote, he also registered for military conscription. Or to use the more common vernacular: the draft. Did you know the draft was used in six wars? First in the American Civil War, then both World Wars, the Korean War, and finally the Vietnam War. Now while the U.S. has since moved to an all-volunteer military, the Selective Service System remains in place to help maintain national security, which means all male civilians aged 18 to 25 are required to register so the draft can quickly be resumed if needed. I think most of us can agree we hope there’s never a need again. Since I mentioned war, I’d like to remind folks who are on the fence about voting that a lot of men and women fought on the field and off for our right to stand in line and fill-in little round bubbles. Listen. We’re all tired of turning on the news and watching the left shout at the right and vice versa. You may be even thinking that your vote won’t make a dang bit of difference. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s a load of hogwash.

Just look what happened in Ohio back in August. That’s when they held a special House election in central Ohio between Republican Troy Balderson and his challenger Democrat Danny O’Connor. Seventeen days after the voting first took place, Balderson was declared the winner by 0.8 percentage points! To put it another way, a margin under 0.5 points would have trigged a recount. Talk about a close one. Although, I’m kinda partial to the way Nevada handled a close election back in 2011—they drew cards. Tanya Flanagan and Linda Meisenheimer tied in a North Las Vegas city council primary, and since neither wanted to cough up $600 for the recount they let Lady Luck decide. Flannagan drew a five of diamonds, while Meisenheimer’s card was the king of diamonds. As the Gambler would say, “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em … know when to fold ’em … know when to walk away.” Bottom line is your vote matters and the fact we’re lucky to be able to vote the way we do matters too. So, get off your keister and vote.

Dear Crabby

About Dear Crabby

Stuck in a rut? Need some biased advice from a crabby old baby-boomer? Read regularly by thousands and loved by some, Dear Crabby answers questions weekly to life's challenges. Send him a note at editor@rochestermedia.com.

Comments

  1. Orville Hoksch says

    Dear Crabby

    I have been following all the election commercials faithfully and tend to believe most of them. I have come to the conclusion that all of those running for office are crooks and deserve jail time rather than public office. I’m asking you to identify those who may be worthy of my vote. But then I understand that you may be a member of the press who produces “fake news”. Help me.

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