Jett says: Vote YES on Question 3!

By Edith Morgan

Early voting in Massachusetts …

I did it – and it was quick and easy, and foolproof. On Wednesday I was at the Worcester Senior Center to attend a class, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy some good conversation with friends – took my husband along, and the two of us decided to vote, as long as we were here anyway.

The line was long at times, so we waited a short time, and jumped into line when it was very short. We checked in, were checked off, got directions for filling out our TWO-page ballot!!, filled in the ovals by our choices, sealed up our ballots and inserted them in the box being guarded by the policeman on duty there. And, feeling virtuous, we sat down in the center’s library, read the paper and went home. And that was all there was to it.

Talking with people, it became obvious to me that many folks did not realize that they could vote here or at any of the five locations set up in Worcester.

Each location has a row of small computerized lists containing ALL THE NAMES OF ALL THE VOTERS IN THE ENTIRE CITY – so any registered voter can vote at any of the five sites, on any of the planned days.

With all the talk about voter fraud, we expect none at all in this election: once you have voted early, there is an “X” and EV placed by your name, so there is no way you can show up any other day, or at any other site and try to vote again. (Actually, the figures are that there have been only 37 cases of voter fraud in ONE BiLLION votes cast in America!!!) The voters are much more honest than we give them credit for!

The two weeks (seven days a week) early voting schedule should accomplish two things:

It will enable many voters who have trouble getting to the polls where they are assigned to vote any day of the week that is most convenient for them;

and it will relieve the long lines on November 8 – which we expect in the Presidential election.

So there is no longer much excuse for not voting. With so many days, so many locations, so many choices, I can not see what more we can do.

If you are still not certain, and need more information, or want to see the entire schedule, go to www.worcestema.gov

…Or exercise your previous right to an absentee ballot, or vote on November 8 at the same place where you are accustomed to voting. If you are not sure whether you are properly registered, inquire at the City of Worcester Election Commission (508-799-1134). If you have moved recently you may still be registered at your old address. (The RMV and the U.S. Post Office do NOT send your new address to the election commission.)

When you get your two-page ballot, if there is any office or any ballot question you do not wish to answer or have no opinion about, then vote all the others – your ballot still counts!

JUST VOTE!