Election time is in full effect right now. While they may just be mid-term elections, there are some pretty important people and items to vote on next month.
I was visited by two local candidates running for office this past weekend. Both made impressions on me, and I was able to decide exactly who I would be voting for in this particular race.
Here’s how not to get my vote:
- Tell me you didn’t respond to my email because you were getting ready for an outdoor fair and did nothing about my concern (he actually said this).
- Make sure you swear at least once while talking about your opposition.
- Minimize a domestic assault that occurred in my neighborhood.
- Don’t over any solutions. And if you do, immediately dispute them.
That was the second person that came to my house.
The first person knocked on my door right as I was ushering my older son, G, out the door to go to soccer and my husband was taking our screaming 22 month old, Biz, upstairs for an overdue nap. The candidate smiled, handed me a flyer and gave me a quick introduction. She asked for my vote, noted the email on the flyer and told me to contact her with any questions I might have.
Short, sweet and to the point. She knew it was a bad time and moved on.
I take voting seriously. I don’t miss elections. As a citizen, I believe that it is my right to have my voice heard, whether it’s by attending a local town council meeting, contacting my legislators or casting a ballot. When I don’t have all the information about a candidate or issue, I seek it out.
I actually didn’t think I’d end up voting for the first candidate. Until I met the second one.
If you’re running for office, don’t think that you’ll get a vote just because you show up to someone’s house. And be careful about what you say. Someone might start complaining on Facebook or blogging about your ill chosen words.
Update (10/16/10): A couple days ago, another person came to my door. The person was representing another local candidate and left a flyer with my husband. Later that evening, I noticed a sign for the candidate displayed in front of my house. I immediately took it down.
If you want my endorsement, you need to ask for it.
