Voting for candidates, our representatives, community officials, elicit a variety of reactions.
The range: On one end the diatribe is that voting is the most important thing we can do to perpetuate democracy is to vote and at the other end is disdain for voting because it makes no difference in the lives of both busy and disinterested individuals.
The truth is somewhere between and for a variety of reasons. An examination of reality is that continual vigil and interaction with all of our elected representatives is best for democracy. Most of us do not have the capability to interact with our elected officials every day. So we settle for voting and some semblance of understanding the process and reacting when necessary.
Members of society have truly limited choices. We determine how to pronounce our names and what names we call ourselves. We have a basic right to vote, so to give up that right and say that voting does not matter, forfeits an ability to make choices. Voting does matter.
We should get out and vote, or, vote by mail which is the only way voters make their choices in the Oregon and Washington, both in the northwest.
Early voting avoids excuses. With that in mind here are some sites to vote early:
• DuPage County, other than the Election Commission, sites include, starting Monday, Oct. 22, Addison Township Office; Bartlett Community Center, Downers Grove Village Hall, Elmhurst City Hall, Glen Ellyn Civic Center, Naperville Municipal Center, Olive Trees Condominiums in Naperville; Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, Fox Valley Mall, Yorktown Center.
• Kane County, other than County Clerks’ offices in Geneva and Aurora starting Monday, Oct. 22, include Phillips Park Stover Center in Aurora; Carpentersville Fire Station No. 93, ; Gail Borden Library, Elgin; Elgin Township; Vaughan Athletic Center, Aurora; Batavia Park District Civic Center; Campton Community Center; city government of Elgin; city government of St. Charles; Dundee Township; village of West Dundee; Del Webb Sun City in Huntley; Hampshire Township; Sugar Grove Library; The Holmstad, Batavia; Town & County Library, Elburn.
• Kendall County: County Clerk’s office in Yorkville; Oswego Village Hall; Plano City Hall.
The hours vary in each location and in each county. Voters should find a way to be informed, do their civic duties. If there are races in which you are not informed, or, candidates you do not like, simply skip the entry and move on to the next listing.
Do yourself and your community, your county, your state, your country, a favor and go vote. You will feel better having taken the time to make choices, and in some semblance, to be involved. You will be glad you did vote. Vote this election!