Election Day (Nov. 4) will be here in a blink. MomSpeaker Raya Fagg takes her civic duty seriously and reminds us why it's so important to make sure we're registered in time to have our say. Below, she discusses the voter registration deadline in Pennsylvania. Delaware's is Oct. 11 and New Jersey's, Oct. 14. If you've got a new 18-year-old, don't forget to pass this info along!
October 6 isn’t just my born day (coffee, wine, chocolate, yarn are all acceptable gifts!), but the last day for PA voters to register for the November 4 election.
Your vote is your voice: not voting is allowing others to speak for YOU. I know people don’t think their voice is important. There are some who feel like their votes don’t count. Trust me, every vote counts. I have talked to numerous politicians who have demanded a recount because the vote was too close to call. Don’t be the following:
- The cause of heartburn for someone sweating yet another recount. Remember chads and Florida?
- The one who shows up on election day, loud and wrong because they didn’t handle their business to ensure they could vote.
- The person who moans about the state of the community when you believe that Nutter is the mayor AND still call 411 for issues.
- The kid who turned 18 over the summer, never bothered to register and now wants to take that “first-vote selfie.” You can take all the pictures you want, just not in the booth*.
Voting is such a privilege. To know that you have the ability to give the right person the job to represent YOUR interest is an awesome responsibility. The fact that one of the first things naturalized citizens do is register to vote should be a sign that voting is a big deal. Anyone who was outraged over events this summer, make sure your voice is heard through the power of your vote.
How do you register?
You can register in person at a county voter registration office, most government offices or by mail using this form. More information is available at www.votespa.com.
October 6, the deadline to register, it’s a mere three weeks away. Remember, if you’re not registered to vote, your opinion doesn’t count!
• Taking photos in the voting both can nullify your vote. Tread carefully on this issue.
Raya Fagg is a mom of two from Upper Darby, PA. This post is adapted from her blog, And Starring As Herself…MRSRFKJ. 
