Last night, I couldn’t find my voter registration card. Shocking, seeing as I have quite the complex filing system:
For the first time this election cycle, I truly almost lost my mind.
The past few years I have grown increasingly disillusioned with politics. I sometimes feel disappointed with my lack of involvement this cycle, but its been a bit complicated for me, as I know it is for a lot of you. Sure, I gave some money, but 19-year-old Lemm would not be pleased with the 27-year-old woman who sits here now. She’d find her apathetic and a bit of a sell out, and maybe she is… Yet, when I couldn’t mind my card? And for about half an hour I thought there was a possibility I wouldn’t be able to vote? I was reminded that that 19-year-old girl still lives inside me, a girl who thinks maybe she can make a small difference.
I like that we don’t talk politics here, but just today I want to remind you to stand up and cast your ballot. Remember what is important to you and step inside that booth. Do it for you, do it for your family and friends, do it for that hidden, tiny slice of you that is still idealistic enough to think maybe, just maybe, you can help change the world.
Then go get some free stuff. Lord almighty, has this been a long election cycle and you deserve some treats.
Thanks to my wonderful friend EJ for compiling this list….
Starbucks: free tall coffee, all day
Ben and Jerry’s: free scoop, 5 – 8 PM
Krispy Kreme: free doughnut, all day
Chik Fil A: free chicken sandwich, all day
Books-a-Million: free cup of coffee, all day
California Tortilla: free taco, all day
Daily Grill: free appetizer, Happy Hour
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Amen, sistah. And voting BETTER be the reason you are not here right now…
It is, it is!
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I don’t know about DC, but in VA you can vote if you have your license. That’s what I’m doing today.
Yeah, turns out I found it, but I was informed of that last night. Phew!
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Lem, in DC, you don’t need your voter card to vote. Hell, they didn’t even ask me for a photo ID!
I know–turns out I didn’t need it!
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Dude, we are SO the same person–when Jason and I were getting ready to go do early voting, I had a major panic attack because I couldn’t find my voter registration card. I subsequently realized I had thrown it away, and I completely went apeshit…
…until Jason informed me that all I needed was a picture ID. Whew.
And FYI, not all CFAs are giving away free sandwiches–make sure you check with your local franchise.
God, we are the same person. bettyjoan didn’t move to Atlanta, I just took her body over!
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Thanks for listing the freebies
I am here for you!
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No voter-card or identification requirements in New York State. All I had to do when I voted earlier this morning was give my name and address. There was about a 15-minute wait, in part because quite a few people showed up to vote and in part because the average age of the poll workers is about 85, so they don’t move too fast.
Peter
I have about 85 minutes of waiting…the woman who took my name called me Sugarplum. Normally, this would annoy me, but I found it charming.
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As I told Roissy, you fools, I got a letter saying that I could vote tomorrow… duh
I am charmed by your use of “duh”.
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My voting location is on a particularly bad block — as in, I lived in Bogota and I won’t go there. Needless to say, I’ll be casting my ballot in broad daylight. Think happy thoughts around 3:00, OK?
That bad? Yoinks. I will be thinking happy, lovely things for you.
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other freebies worth mentioning…
discounted drinks and free cheese at Dino
complimentary noshes at Vidalia
half price services at the Christophe salon
Vidalia! Including shrimp and grits?! Oh, how I hope.
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I am SO wearing my I Voted sticker all around town today collecting my free food and coffees.
And why wouldn’t you! You are a smart woman.
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I used to believe in voting when I was younger and more idealistic. Now that I know better, having learned my fiscally conservative vote is irrelevant while living in the midst of an overwhelmingly pompous liberal plurality, I make good use of my time which would otherwise have been spent standing in line doing cool things like……..watching that cat on youtube flush the toilet over, and over again to a soundtrack.
DF, you make me sad. You should vote no matter what. The again, what do i know? But I agree…that cat is pretty cute.
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Our filing system is much the same. This makes me feel better, I have to say. And thank you for the list of free stuff!
I was cursing last night, but also know the odds of me getting organized are slim.
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Mmm, thanks for the free tasty treat update. Might have to swing by Krispy Kreme! Oh, and on a weird, non-food related note, you have the same comforter cover that I do. Crate & Barrel, right?
Yes, indeed. Love it… I have several from there, including a bright Merimekko print.
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Glad you found it! Althought, I’m not sure you need your voter registration card to vote. I didn’t and you don’t in VA – you just need a valid state issued ID with your current address…
Also, Good Stuff Eatery on the Hill has free cookies.
Yeah, turns out I didn’t need it… And cookies! A cookie and a marshmallow shake would make my day.
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Mmmm, can’t wait for my Krispy Kreme tonight. That makes up for waiting (with no coat!) 2 hours to vote this morning.
Yes, yes it does. God, I cannot wait for a freaking DRINK tonight.
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I only voted for the free donut.
Whatever it takes…seriously.
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Dunkin’ Donuts also has a free small coffee if you’ve voted.
How I wish there were a Dunky’s near me….
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Amen sister!
Ha, thanks.
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The 19 year old you would not want you to be 19 at age 27. Experience gives us some insight into how things work and for better or worse starts to turn the black and white into gray. I just experienced NYC at its most bureaucratic inefficient, but even though I knew in this bluest of blue states and cities that my vote didn’t really matter, I still stood there for 2 hours without even the incentive of free eats. Of course, given that the alternative was go to work and I had my magazine to read while waiting, I had plenty of incentive. As they used to say in Chicago before politics became governed by computers and the internet, vote early and vote often.
In about 2 zillion ways I am glad I am not 19 again. You state one of them well.
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I am totally bailing out of the office early to cast my opinion on America. It could all come down to me, lol. Plus, if I don’t vote I can’t complain-I like complaining.
Who doesn’t like complaining!?
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This is for DF………… If you’re not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Hey I live in Florida where we found voting can be somewhat, hmmmmmmmm, disheartening at times yet I still believe. Remember, if you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain about what happens. Now get off your ass and go vote!
DF, you just got served by my mom. You have witnessed a tiny fraction of my childhood.
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I hope you managed to vote despite no voter registration card! But I’m not too worried about DC. Thanks for the list of freebies. My food for the rest of the day is covered!
Yes, I voted…even though DC isn’t a concern, I still wanted to cast my ballot. Enjoy the freebies.
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If only the brothels in Nevada were offering free service for voting…. hmmm that’d be pretty good marketing eh?
haha I voted!
What would you girlfriend say!?
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lemon,
i think you’re 27yr old instincts are right. vanquish that 19yr old voice. in the words of donald draper, “young people don’t know anything… especially that they’re young.”
and i hate to pick a fight with anybody’s mom, but voting is a right and rights only make sense if you also have the right not to use it. i’m not voting because there’s no candidate i feel comfortable giving my vote. anyway, the true mark of a liberal democracy has less to do with voter turnout, and more to do with a robust civil society, individual rights, and economic freedom. show me a country where voting really matters and i’ll show you a country in serious trouble.
Hey, we all have our opinions, and as much as I hate to admit it, I somewhat agree…
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I would like to back up Mama Bear’s statement as I am still registered in the great “chad” state.
OOOH! A vote that matters.
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She’d probably say that was good marketing too! I didn’t say I’d -go- … I was merely representing the insanity relating to giving free shit for voting. It’s all about marketing, and nothing about the voting process. Rewarding someone for doing something that many people lost their lives fighting to earn (I’m referencing the Revolutionary War, not those Iraq things) is kind of dumb… but I’ll still go get my free doughnut
Oh, I know. It is sad people need to be encouraged.
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Perhaps less germane to this website, but still kinda awesome, voters living in New York or Seattle can pick up a free sex toy at Babeland all week long if bring in their ballot stub, voter registration card or “word of honor” that they did indeed vote. Oh, haaaay.
I saw that!! Don’t think I didn’t wish for a second I lived in NY… And, hey, welcome to the site.
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Lance, voting is not a right it is a privilege, one that not every country nor every American has. Of course you don’t have to vote, but it makes me sad for you. I do however believe that those who don’t have do not have the right to complain! I am not a flag waving patriot or anything like that, but I do believe strongly in the voting process. Hopefully one day we won’t have to depend on the electoral process and we will use the popular vote, but for now it’s all we have. I’m not saying, I’m just saying!
Thanks Mom…now everyone try to keep their cool and focus on the donuts please.
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Don’t think I didn’t wish for a second I lived in NY…
What was it you had in mind? I’ll pick it up for you and drop it off when I’m in DC over the weekend.
I’ll keep it in its plain brown wrapper.
Shall we meet in an ally? Seems safe!
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MB, i hate to get technical here, but:
Amendment XV
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
i am a flag waving patriot. and i believe in the voting process. i don’t not vote out of principle or anything. i just find that i don’t feel comfortable casting my vote for either major-party candidate or for any of the others either.
the thing about rights is that they only make sense when you give people the freedom to use them or not use them according to their own judgment. the right to free speech also entails the right to keep quiet, and the right to private property entails the right to do nothing with your property. that’s what democracy is all about.
My mother is going to ground you.
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ps – i’ll put my soapbox away until later when i venture out into the great big obama rally that will be just about every bar and restaurant in the district.
I am sure they will love you, Lance.
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Lance – they have write in votes for people like you who do not wish to vote for people listed on the ballot. Your vote may be meaningless in the scheme of things, but you will have exercised your right to vote.
PS the 15th amendment did not give the right to vote; that already existed and the requirements of which were set by each state until the passing of the voting rights act in the 60’s. It just prevented states from prohibiting someone from voting because he or she had been a slave or their color. Before that in deciding how many electoral votes a state had (by virtue of how many representatives it had in Congress), slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person. FOr that matter until just under 100 years ago Senators were not elected by direct vote but by the state legislatures. It took a constitutional amendment to change that too.
I agree re: writing in….
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Hi
Don’t forget that for the duration of the Holiday ‘marketing’ promos you help support Project (Red) with the purcase of any of the ‘Holiday Trio’ bevs at all of your local Starbucks. Just wanted to stay with the marketing theme, Happy day-after Sandwich Day
PS Lance be careful with your strict interperations of the Constitution and it’s amendments, without the ability to amend and change, which requires the process of voting, MB still woulbn’t be able to vote nor would have the 19 year old Lemmonex!! Just saying,
one Dirty Old Hippie
Now that should be enough of this and lets all focus on the doughnuts, of which Dunkies still has the best Maple frosted EVER
Not a huge fan of the Maple frosted frankly. Apple spice all the way.
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I’m done preaching. Let’s get on with the eating and drinking.
Thanks Ma.
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We are clearly using the same kind of filing system. I keep half of my “important” documents in the Fruit Bowl and half in the rear end of a pinata from my birthday two years ago. I showed up at the polls with no registration card or nothin’ and I was able to get right in – after my 90 minute wait. Totally worth it.
Oh, it is definitely worth it. And welcome!
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Erm hi. I registered here in Battleground VA and those fuckers spelled my name wrong. I even filled out the info for them, and they sent it to one CAITLAN Breadandcheese.
Per the instructions, I sent it back and asked them to fix it. That was the last I saw of my card, but luckily Blue-haired Mabel was happy to take my license – even though it has my correctly spelled name and the list in front of her said CAITLAN. I think she would have been happy to pinch my cheeks, too, if I’d have let her.
Mabel for the win! And also, everyone wants to pinch your cheeks. Can I? PLEASE?
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Didn’t you swear you weren’t a hipster? “Oh, oops, how did this bevy of Apple products drift into the shot? Oh, mercy me?”
Also, it may have seemed a good idea at the time, but voting Cynthia McKinney for Prez actually has 0% of getting her out of DC. Drat.
I Voted For Mama Bear
Ha, I didn’t even really think about that…just snapped the picture. I don’t think a few high quality pieces of technology a hipster make.
Mama Bear earned your vote.
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