Voting from Abroad is Far Easier

Election Day Tuesday was suppose to be cut and dry, a real simple 'flip-the-switch' kind of day. Instead, it turned into a political nightmare.

I have a relative who has been battling serious physical and mental issues for a long time. She tends not to go anywhere that requires heavy walking or strenuous activity. Voting requires no more than parking my car and pulling a lever and because the 19th amendment means everything to me, I convinced my relative to exercise her right to vote as well.

I knew she was registered somewhere in Albany so we went searching for the right district and voting booth. It sounds simple enough but by the time we hit 7, yes, 7 incorrect voting booths our spirits were waning and neither of us wanted any part of this year's Presidential Primary Election.

It took one hour and a full tank of gas to finally find the correct polling station. How could that have happen?, you ask.

My first inclination is to think 'Republican Conspiracy' but that might be my paranoia about the Current Administration coming through. Rather, it was probably the work of the 5 aging volunteer seniors manning the booths of 5 incorrect polling stations that I just happen to visit. The 6th was a charm but prior to that I nearly launched into a full-scale rage entering booth number 6. Yes, 5 white-haired individuals, claiming to work for the Board of Elections, just happened to incorrectly assist us to our next destination, and what's even more frustrating is that most physically or mentally handicapped do not drive a car and would be prompted to walk.

If my relative had to walk from one incorrect polling station to another, she would have walked her fragile bones right into an early grave, all in an effort to cast her vote. That is sooo wrong. If we were abroad traveling the entire process would have taken only 10 minutes by registering a vote at Democrats Abroad. I really find it quite amazing that the “greatest democracy” in the world uses outdated voting stations and volunteer labor to secure the next President.

If any of my readers has found the process of finding your polling station difficult, if not nearly impossible, please send me feedback. Jumping through hoops like this shouldn't happen to anyone.