Newly registered voters do not know how to vote...another story

[cally]

Some states are still registering voters.

So we hit a new location for us...the local mall. We had avoided it because the restrictions and rules are intense and the primary folks hit it heavily then.

What an eye opener (we should have been here all along.) Most young folks are registered. I was surprised that most of the 18 to 25 are registered. :bounce: One striking contradiction for me is that two young women..one black and one latina..walked by and I asked if they were registered. They said, "of course" and then went off on why they support Kerry. A short time later, another two young women walked by. Dressed similarly, similar age, another black and latina. When I asked if rhey were registered, they said rather disdainfully, "I'm not into that." :sigh: I had many voters who had never registered before but wanted to this time.

We got many newly registered voters. One of my surprises is that they do not know what happens next. THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO VOTE. Repeat THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO VOTE. They know they have to be registered, but they don't know about polling places, voter pamphlets, and the process of voting. I explained but all of us have to call the newly registered Dems and get them to the polls.

[cheshire]

1. Your right, we registered my niece and that was her concern. She knew the

issues and was willing she just was unsure of the actual polling place process. We talked he thru it but her mom will take her. It made it easier for her. Follow thru on the registration is very important.

[murielm99]

2. When they actually get there, election judges are required

to assist anyone who is having trouble voting. No one should be embarrassed over needing assistance.

We just have to get them there first.

[cally]

3. I think only the young will ask for assistance

Most of the folks that had never voted were embarrassed to tell me they didn't know how to vote.

[goodwalt]

4. I once saw a Daily Show episode

where they were making fun of a California state legislator for proposing that the voting age be lowered to 13. I love the Daily Show, and yes, I got all the Barney jokes, but I couldn't help thinking that the legislator was on to a good idea. We SHOULD start people voting when they are young, idealistic, and just starting to learn the ropes of what is expected and required in the adult world. I know this is kind of a tangent, but I couldn't help but make the connection. The sad truth is the average 13 year old wouldn't be much less informed than the average 40 year old. Among the other benefits of such a policy would be theat EVERY 18 year old would know where to go to vote.

[cally]

5. That was Vasconcellos

And yes, I agree. I like the idea of allowing 16 year olds to have 1/2 a vote. They could learn the process from their teachers.

What I learned today is that the whole process is very intimidating. I can convince them to register, they want to vote, but we have to work hard for the vote.

[goodwalt]

6. Thanks

It was 16 and not 13? Then I'm ready to go more radical than that gentleman was- let's make it 13. You can stay in home room, or you can join the field trip to the polling place indicated on your newly issued voter registration card, and learn what democracy is all about. Sounds like a practical and effective civics lesson to me.

[cally]

7. Umm..it may have been 13

Vasconcellos is one of our state's treasures. I think a 16 year old voting age makes sense but I don't know about Vasconcellos

[Morning Dew]

8. I was lucky all those years ago . . .

for my first election, my parents took me to the polling place (I still lived at home) and we all cast our votes for Jimmy Carter.

[nonconformist]

9. A side note

This is one of the reasons it's so important to take your kids, if possible, to the polls with you. I remember going in the voting booth with my mom from the time I was just a little thing. By the time I turned 18, most of it was old hat - but that first time voting is always a little daunting I imagine.

This will be the first year our kids will be going to the polls with us - the oldest is 9 and is very excited.