What's going on, Albuquerque?

so, you're gonna vote, RIGHT??

... For whomever you're voting for - You're going to vote, right?

This is NOT an Obama/Mccain conversation - it's a question of yes/no.

I realize that there's always a lot of talk about "Just don't bother, it doesn't make a difference", or "(so and so) will win without my help, anyway" - but that's flat out not true. The only way to change a broken machine is to do something to start changing it.

Don't fall for the "Don't bother to vote" spin, no matter who's throwing it at you. Make your own mind up, and participate in this one thing. If you're not voting, fine - but before you make your mind up on that, consider the other options - even if you think it's "not worth it", it takes up maybe a few hours in a day, and if you do it before Nov. 4th, even less.

Also please remember some of your rights:

- Your employer, by law, must allow you to go vote on election day. DO NOT tell me you didn't vote because you had to work, or because you were told you couldn't leave work. Either is a fallacy.

- Voting "straight party", while showing your dedication to your party, does not always answer the many questions brought up on a ballot. Consider reading the whole thing and filling it out. There is a rumor that if you vote straight party in NM, your vote for president does not count. This is, as far as I know, A rumor only. Only two states do not consider a straight party vote a vote for president; North and South Carolina.

- TAKE YOUR TIME. This isn't a race. Read up on issues in your local area, and how the ballots affect those issues.

- NO ONE has the right to sway your decision on your way into a polling place. You are also not bound in any way to tell ANYONE how you voted, or how you plan to vote.

- Some polling places will make you turn shirts endorsing candidates inside out, or take buttons off. This is a grey area, but if you want to save time, keep your "Raining Mcccain" or "Obama Momma" shirts in the car, and wear 'em after.

- Absentee ballots, while a useful way to vote without going into a polling place, are notoriously easy to be "lost" or mis-counted. Even if you get an absentee ballot, you should bring it directly into a polling place.

- (this is not a direct endorsement) Obama's website has one of the best systems for finding your polling place and where to vote early: http://www.barackobama.com - or visit your state/city's website/call information.

- Be ready to wait when you go to your polling place. DO NOT let this discourage you from voting. DO NOT say "oh well, in four years i'll do it". DO NOT take the manana attitude. This happens once every four years! Take some time, go out, DO IT. Do not fall for "don't vote" spin. Do not joke yourself into being powerless. That's exactly what any number of people want.

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Comment by Stephanie on October 29, 2008 at 9:57am: Oh, and if you're trying to vote at the SUB at UNM, and the lines are too long, consider one of the other nearby polling places (like that Lomas and Eubank one I told you about earlier.

Early voting ends Saturday! For early voting locations and hours, go here.

Comment by Camian on October 29, 2008 at 10:44am: We voted last night at UNM. The line looked really long, but it moved pretty quickly. I second the motion, don't be discouraged if the lines are long and taking a long time, be proud that you have the opportunity to vote and take advantage. Enjoy it!!!

Comment by Adelita on October 29, 2008 at 3:00pm: I voted at UNM last Saturday and I didn't have to wait in line at all. I went around noon. It was quick, efficient and I was outta there in no time.

Comment by Brendan on October 29, 2008 at 3:13pm: Just voted at 5407 Gibson SE a few minutes ago. 1 minute in line, 15 minutes filling out the ballot.

Even if you don't care about candidates, there are other important issues like library bonds to be voted on. Support literacy.

Comment by the boy on October 29, 2008 at 3:42pm: Sent in my ballot by mail last week, checked bernco.gov to see if they have it, and it's in. It's looking like this election is going to be rather epic, and on top of that it looks like New Mexican votes count the most.

Oh, another point - if you vote straight party, you miss both bond issues and constitutional amendments, of which we have many this year.

Comment by Paula Manning-Lewis on October 29, 2008 at 3:44pm: Also, if you don't vote, you have no right to complain!

Comment by Erika Ruth on October 29, 2008 at 4:14pm: Paula, my husband "forgot" back in 2000 (went to the polling place too late), and I laughed and laughed. 4 years. I wouldn't let him say a thing. 4 years, I was able to tell him, if you don't vote, you can't whine. He has never forgotten to vote since then.

Comment by Paula Manning-Lewis on October 29, 2008 at 4:27pm: that's pretty funny Erika, I would have done the same thing! Of course, I don't see how anyone could "forget" to vote. In his defense, I guess back in 2000 we didn't have the same urgency that we have in this election.

Comment by Erika Ruth on October 29, 2008 at 4:36pm: Especially, since we lived in WA state, and he was a college student who didn't know when the polls closed. He showed up at his polling place 30m after it closed. Now... well... we all do need to go out and vote! :) I heard that in Australia, you're fined if you don't vote. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_electoral_system

Comment by LaGuera on October 29, 2008 at 7:12pm: I work with a bunch of teenagers, some of whom are old enough to vote but cannot because they are not citizens. The kids who are old enough to vote and can vote are under tremendous pressure, and may I add, are holding up beautifully. They realize that their decision to cast their ballots means that they are not only speaking for themselves; they are speaking for their friends who are disenfranchised. Speak up by voting! Protect the rights of those who cannot exercise influence by casting your vote!