Hey so friendly reminder about voting and elections that I havenāt seen going around yet but is SUPER IMPORTANT.
Watch what you wear and say while youāre waiting in line for the voting booth/at the polls. It is against federal law to do anything that might be considered campaigning once youāre there, and since we know that voter suppression is the name of the game this election, there will be people looking for ANY reason to remove you from the polling place. And they will nitpick. You have a shirt with a artistic picture of donkey on it? Youāre visibly supporting the Democrats, youāre disqualified from voting. Want to wear a Black Lives Matter shirt? Not there you donāt. Theyāll call it intimidation and kick you out. Pins, buttons, stickers, none of it. Wear the most bland, plain clothes you can imagine.Ā
And then keep your mouth shut. Even the slightest hint of discussion about which candidate youāre voting for can get used against you. Donāt assume the people around you are safe to discuss it with. You might be overheard. There WILL people watching for these things, hoping to get rid of anyone they can. Voter suppression isnāt just about making registration impossible. It happens at the polling stations too. Be smart, be bland, be quiet, and make sure your vote gets in.Ā
Also- and I have seen this mentioned but it bears repeating- DO NOT TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR BALLOT. EVER. Itāll also disqualify your vote. Take a selfie when youāre out of their with your fun little sticker.Ā
This is for your protection as much as your oppression: this means the opposition party canāt use those tactics against you either - and if anyone tries, REPORT THEM.
Seriously. Vote if youāre eligible. I know itās boring. Itās a long line. It costs you time. But even if you have nothing to gain or lose, so many people you know probably do. As much as it seems like all politics can be bogus, and even if YOU donāt see the difference between the parties, trust me: it makes a difference. Every vote really actually matters.
Remember vote republican. Voter intimidation and suppression is a Democratic Party tactic too. Every adage of politics is ingrained. If you belief life was hard under a Trumpian ideal with Republicans, imagine a Democrat led house and senate.
