Posts Tagged ‘Vote’

27 Sep

My Election Day- Guest Blogger Heather McCausland

Posted by alaskaconservationblog in Conservation. Tagged: , .

By Heather McCausland, guest blogger

Each voting night, my son accompanies me to the local National Guard armory.  He used to squeeze into the booth with me, but now he chooses to read the posters and honorary plaques lining the walls.  Now that he is in High School, he chose to join his school’s Junior ROTC program.  I wonder what impact voting at the armory has had on this choice – really seeing and knowing that people have given so much to protect our right to vote and his part in exercising this expression of our free speech.  In the cold, he stood in line with me and a hundred others to vote for the next president.  He listens intently to our extended family’s lively discussions on politics and the state of the world.  He volunteers in the community, he listens to others, and he speaks his own opinion in words that are often quoted by adults.  In just a few years he will have the right to vote.  Voting is such an important part of his education and what it means to be an American and I am grateful for every opportunity to share this small action with him.  When we cast our vote, we are choosing who we want to carry our voice.

Please celebrate voting, one expression of our right to free speech by sharing the experience with a child.  Let them fill in the ovals. It is OK to color a little outside of the lines.

12 Sep

If I can do it…: Local Elections

Posted by alaskaconservationblog in Conservation. Tagged: , , , , .

By Betty Jo Pritchett

With Alaska local elections – except in Anchorage – in less than a month, voting has been on my mind lately.  With our governmental system in America, voting is the most efficient way to affect change.  We can put 110% into making our home and ourselves ‘greener’ but real change starts at the policy level.  It’s the citizens’ responsibility to elect officials that will make those policy changes.  Good policy comes from good leadership.

Local elections have a traditionally low turnout rate in Alaska.  Most people don’t participate in elections at the local level.  In 2010 the Fairbanks North Star Borough had a voter turnout rate of 24%, the Kenai Peninsula Borough,26%, and the Mat-Su Borough coming in at a dismal 18%.  Considering the huge impact that our local government has on our families, our economy and our future, these numbers are alarming.  Especially in Alaska, when one vote REALLY can make a difference.  In 2010, Talkeetna’s city council elections consisted of less than 150 voters.  With such a small population, your vote could really change an outcome.

So why are local elected officials so important?  Your city and borough officials, whether they are mayors or members of an assembly or council, make decisions that directly affect your life.  They hire government officials, maintain the public education system, make the budget, regulate air and water pollution, control septic and solid waste, plan land use and much more.  For a complete list of their responsibilities, click here.  The assemblies can also pass resolutions which show the borough government’s support or

 opposition for projects, legislation, etc.  A recent example of this is the resolution passed by the Mat-Su Borough Assembly on Tuesday in support of Wishbone Hill Coal Mine.  Or, on a more positive note, a resolution passed by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly earlier this year in support of Comprehensive Clean Energy legislation.

In the process of ‘greening’ your life, making your voice heard is one of the most important pieces.  You have the opportunity to vote for elected officials that you feel will make responsible choices for your borough or city.But don’t stop there!  Let them know your opinion on issues by emailing, writing, calling or even visiting them in person, both while they are running for office, and then later when they get elected.  They can’t read minds and don’t know what we, their constituents, want unless we tell them!

2 Nov

My Election Day- Guest Blogger

Posted by alaskaconservationblog in Conservation. Tagged: , .

Guest Blogger: Alaska Conservation Voters Supporter and Monthly Donor- Martha Levensaler

Voting day is one of my favorite days of the year.  When I’m standing in line to vote, I always think of the many people throughout the world who fight and die for this right in present time and throughout history.  Truthfully, I sometimes get a little choked up when I think that with this one act of mine – and many others – we get to change the hands of power without any bloodshed.  Next Tuesday, I’ll walk down my street to the neighborhood church where I vote, then I’ll proudly wear the sticker that tells the world that I voted.

18 Oct

An Election Day Tale

Posted by alaskaconservationblog in Conservation. Tagged: , .

An Election Day Tale by Betty Jo Pritchett

It’s Tuesday, the first Tuesday of November.  I’m standing on the school lawn waiting for my kids to be released for the day.  My polling place is at this school, but if I don’t wait for my kids, they’ll never forgive me.  My boys, now 10 years old and 7 years old, have voted with me every year since they were babies; it’s a tradition in our family.  Every year, in the weeks leading up to the election, we take notice of the political ads on the TV and radio and discuss each candidate’s virtues and vices, their stances on the issues and why we agree or disagree with their views.  Each year we talk, in age appropriate ways, about the issues that are relevant to this election season.  My parents never discussed voting with me, in fact, they STILL won’t tell me which candidates they favor.  Activity at the poll was a deep, dark, taboo subject during my childhood and I vowed that I would teach my kids at an early age about their right, and privilege in choosing leadership.  My two have voted in four different states and have filled in bubbles, pulled the lever, and used the electronic voting machines.  This might seem a little odd to some, but I’m proud to tell you that at a recent cub scout meeting, my son was the only one who was able to name all of our elected leadership.

Back to the present; we walk in the door of the school, the kids smile and say ‘hi’ to the volunteers.  I show my voter registration card and the kind volunteer looks at my ID and asks me to sign the roster.  The three of us squeeze into the voting booth and set about filling out my ballot.  After last minute discussion, in which both of the boys loudly share my choices with the entire building, we finish our ballot and take it out of the booth and deposit it into the machine.  Then the boys smile at the volunteer, take their ‘I Voted’ stickers and proudly stick them to their chests, and say good-bye until next year.

As we roll full steam towards Election Day, do you know when and where you will be voting?  Will you head to the polls before work?  On your lunch break?  After work?  Will you go with a friend?  Your spouse?  Your kids?  Will you proudly display your ‘I Voted’ sticker?

27 Aug

Your Vote, Your Future, Your Alaska

Posted by alaskaconservationblog in Conservation. Tagged: , .

Your Vote, Your Future, Your Alaska

By Betty Jo Pritchett

Right now the talk around Alaska is centered on politics owing to the recent primary elections.  On Tuesday, Alaskans turned out in droves to vote for their candidates in races at both the state and national level.  In watching this primary election season unfold, my attention has been brought to a uniquely Alaskan phenomenon; here, your vote really does count.  A fact that is evidenced not only by the recent U.S. Senate race in which Joe Miller looks to have upset Senator Lisa Murkowski, but also by the statistic that 20 state elections since 1960 have been decided by less than 100 votes.  That’s huge!  In 2008, one candidate lost by a whopping four votes – four!  One primaryeven ended in a dead tie, and the winner was determined by a coin toss!  In the lower 48, you are one of the masses.  With other states’ larger populations, sometimes even 100 votes won’t sway the margin of victory.  Here in Alaska though, your voice absolutely can make the difference in whether your chosen candidate wins or loses.

The primary elections are over, but the general elections are only a few months away.  Every vote has the potential to make or break a candidate’s campaign.  So please be sure that you vote on November 2nd.  If you are like me, and can’t possibly fit one more thing into your already busy day, you can register to vote by absentee ballot and avoid the chaos at the polls.  For voting registration forms, absentee ballot forms, and more information on voting, please go to the ‘Vote Alaska’ section of our website by clicking here.  Remember to register by October 3rd to be eligible to vote in this year’s general election.

Remember- Your Vote, Your Future, Your Alaska

2 Jul

July 2nd, 2010

Posted by alaskaconservationblog in Conservation. Tagged: .

By Lou Wright

This year, Alaskans have the opportunity to let their government know that they care about the state’s future. That they believe in a future where a strong economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand. That they want their leaders to make good on the promises made by the recent Renewable Energy Policy. That they want Alaska to be a  leader in energy efficiency and an example of the ways that development and conservation can work together. And all they have to do is vote.

That’s why Alaska Conservation Alliance is getting out the word about voting by mail. We know that schedules are busy, especially around election time. That’s why we encourage Alaskans to apply for a mail-in ballot – it ensures that their voice is heard in Juneau, no matter where they are on election day. Voting by mail is not only convenient – it is as safe and secure as voting in person. Having a ballot on the kitchen table also gives you time to think your choices over instead of rushing in and out of a polling both in the middle of your busy day. 

This summer, we’ll be out talking to folks about what matters to them and making sure their voices are heard. In a state where 20 elections since 1960 have been decided by less than 100 votes, every vote counts, and the outcome of this year’s elections will be crucial to the direction Alaska takes in the coming years. Keep an eye on this website for more information on how to register and vote, and don’t let a chance to shape your community’s future pass you by!

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