(I should probably come up with a standard headline for these that I reuse!) Some Oldster-adjacent content for you, plus The Oldster Top 10: new music for old ears from Cliff Chenfeld.
Just voted by mail, Kamala of course. Talking to friends yesterday one said what will happen on Nov. 5th, 6th etc? Will there be violence? Maybe in Jan. again? We really decided not to talk about it because pundits aside, the results could be horrifying. We have to get out the vote for women. This is really about that. We have to win by a landslide. We have to flush the orange turd down.
voting later this month. Oregon is reliably blue when it comes to Electoral College votes, but state and local races are often up for grabs. These races are SO important! Those are the folks voting on reproductive rights, gun safety, and election administration.
Here’s my action plan (beyond voting) to help Kamala + Democratic state and local folks elected:
Thanks for sharing this, Asha. Yes, the local races are so important! Also, we need to pay attention to local propositions. In NY State I'll be voting yes on Prop 1.
Vermont mailed a ballot to every registered voter but October 1. I filled mine out and walked it into our town clerk the day after it arrived. I also put a note below my name in my email signature explaining this, asking if they have voted yet, and if not, asking everyone to make a plan about how they were going to vote and then do it.
Last week I helped my 87 year-old long-time progressive, activist and educator Dad fill out his ballot to vote by mail in Massachusetts. He is housebound with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. I - at 64 years old - was literally curled up in his recliner with him, and we were alternately crying, yelling, and laughing. Crying because we both know it's the last time he will vote in a Presidential election, and laughing because he was determined to color in those little ovals (which he swears keep getting smaller) by himself, and yelling because we share such a deep disdain for - and terror about - the man who wants to be King of our country. What a privilege to have values so fully aligned with my Dad. I never take it for granted. I will vote in person at my local poll. I wish I could cast a million ballots for the Dems. Thanks for all you do, Sari. _/\_
PS - Also wanted to be sure to add elders to your list of those for whom this election will have dire consequences - loss of benefits and protections, regard, etc...of course, unless you are the King.
I'm voting in person on election day. I won't vote by mail or do early voting because I want to ensure that my vote is safe and recorded properly. I know there are many progressive voters who will disapprove of my doing so, but, in the current atmosphere, I can think of no better way to safely cast my vote. GO BLUE!!
My husband and I voted early here in Atlanta; we do that because both of us volunteer on November 5th. He's a poll watcher in Fulton County (I've done that, too) and this year I'll be driving voters to the polls via Rideshare2Vote. Atlanta has atrocious public transit and many polling places have been gerrymandered, which means a lot of under-served voters don't have easy access to or understanding of where to vote. Driving them there and back with a legit volunteer organization helps ensure access to the polls.
With each week's Oldster Roundup, I can surely count on losing at least an hour of my life indulging myself in the stories and links you post. Some might rue this, but not me! Thanks, Sari!
I'm voting in-person, early, as soon as I get back to my home state of Iowa. I'm in Ohio helping my son and dil, transition from parental leave to full-time work.
This election is so important for the future of my granddaughters! I've always praised myself on educating myself on the issues and candidates, and usually voting a split ticket. Not this year. I'm a blue dot up and down the ballot. And holding my breath about our collective future.
Just voted by mail, Kamala of course. Talking to friends yesterday one said what will happen on Nov. 5th, 6th etc? Will there be violence? Maybe in Jan. again? We really decided not to talk about it because pundits aside, the results could be horrifying. We have to get out the vote for women. This is really about that. We have to win by a landslide. We have to flush the orange turd down.
I'm terrified, but determined. <3
Oregon is 100% vote by mail so I’ll be
voting later this month. Oregon is reliably blue when it comes to Electoral College votes, but state and local races are often up for grabs. These races are SO important! Those are the folks voting on reproductive rights, gun safety, and election administration.
Here’s my action plan (beyond voting) to help Kamala + Democratic state and local folks elected:
https://ashadornfest.substack.com/p/want-to-support-kamala-but-dont-know
Thanks for sharing this, Asha. Yes, the local races are so important! Also, we need to pay attention to local propositions. In NY State I'll be voting yes on Prop 1.
Vermont mailed a ballot to every registered voter but October 1. I filled mine out and walked it into our town clerk the day after it arrived. I also put a note below my name in my email signature explaining this, asking if they have voted yet, and if not, asking everyone to make a plan about how they were going to vote and then do it.
Awesome.
Early voting in Tennessee Saturday. 1200 people voted at the closest early voting station on the first day. Vote Gloria Johnson!
Amazing! Go, Tracy!
Last week I helped my 87 year-old long-time progressive, activist and educator Dad fill out his ballot to vote by mail in Massachusetts. He is housebound with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. I - at 64 years old - was literally curled up in his recliner with him, and we were alternately crying, yelling, and laughing. Crying because we both know it's the last time he will vote in a Presidential election, and laughing because he was determined to color in those little ovals (which he swears keep getting smaller) by himself, and yelling because we share such a deep disdain for - and terror about - the man who wants to be King of our country. What a privilege to have values so fully aligned with my Dad. I never take it for granted. I will vote in person at my local poll. I wish I could cast a million ballots for the Dems. Thanks for all you do, Sari. _/\_
This is so sweet, Kristi. Thanks for sharing. 💕
PS - Also wanted to be sure to add elders to your list of those for whom this election will have dire consequences - loss of benefits and protections, regard, etc...of course, unless you are the King.
Yes, you're right! I'll update this...
I'm voting in person on election day. I won't vote by mail or do early voting because I want to ensure that my vote is safe and recorded properly. I know there are many progressive voters who will disapprove of my doing so, but, in the current atmosphere, I can think of no better way to safely cast my vote. GO BLUE!!
Yes!
My husband and I voted early here in Atlanta; we do that because both of us volunteer on November 5th. He's a poll watcher in Fulton County (I've done that, too) and this year I'll be driving voters to the polls via Rideshare2Vote. Atlanta has atrocious public transit and many polling places have been gerrymandered, which means a lot of under-served voters don't have easy access to or understanding of where to vote. Driving them there and back with a legit volunteer organization helps ensure access to the polls.
Thank you both for doing all of that!
I voted by mail two weeks ago. I received confirmation.
I just finished my last surprise batch of 100 postcards.
I love all the diverse information in this post. Thanks so much, Sari
Great! And thank you!
Montana sent ballots out in the mail. I've received mine, voted (yes for Kamala and yes for Jon Tester) and dropped it off at the election office.
Next step is to make sure my friends have voted.
Awesome. Just made a donation to John Tester's campaign yesterday!
That is wonderful Sari. We don't want to lose him in the Senate especially to Sheehy who wants privatization of healthcare.
I’ll be voting early and voting Republican. Can I say that here?
[CENSORED]
[CENSORED]
Me too!
[CENSORED]
Sure.
This is America, Elizabeth. Say what you will, as long as its the truth.
With each week's Oldster Roundup, I can surely count on losing at least an hour of my life indulging myself in the stories and links you post. Some might rue this, but not me! Thanks, Sari!
Glad you enjoy these, Lisa!
I mailed my ballot in yesterday. Kamala of course
I'm voting in-person, early, as soon as I get back to my home state of Iowa. I'm in Ohio helping my son and dil, transition from parental leave to full-time work.
This election is so important for the future of my granddaughters! I've always praised myself on educating myself on the issues and candidates, and usually voting a split ticket. Not this year. I'm a blue dot up and down the ballot. And holding my breath about our collective future.
Glad to hear it. Thank you!
CA sends out ballots to everyone, so I vote by mail. Letter writing and donations are done. Trying not to turn to hand wringing.
Great. And same.
Voted yesterday in Minnesota! Freed up my energy to continue with GOTV efforts. This election is critical - vote BLUE up and down the ballot!
Awesome. Thank you!
I'm spending a lot of time this weekend writing letters urging people to vote!
Thank you for doing that!