THE WORLD SERIES IS OVER AND ITS ELECTION DAY

How about those Giants, eh?  I'm not a steady baseball fan, but I couldn't help but think about the World Series and watch the final game with Jim. (Of course, I didn't know it was the final game.) And, Lincecum, wasn't he something?  You could see the wheels turning in his brain as he assessed each batter. Since I'm visiting nostalgia through my old pictures, a photo of  my mom sitting next to the radio reminded me of how excited she'd get at listening to the games. The kid who dared interrupt her game time, if you weren't bleeding or dying, was in for a tongue lashing and instant banishment from the room. One of her sisters was a long term softball champ in the local Womens League where she lived in Wisconsin.
And, its election day. I've worked the polls on and off through the years and, sorry to say, things can and do go wrong. You would think it would be so routine...but alas, we can't relax our vigil. There are so many confusing ways to vote, confusing rules; Rules designed to be confusing, I'm sorry to report. They are different from state to state. This non-partisan guide may help:

Today, November 2nd, is Election Day! Make sure to get out and vote. Voting is pretty simple, but if you have any questions, here's an outline of helpful information.

If you have a mobile phone? You can get voting info here: m.google.com/elections)

On your ballot

• Several progressive groups and partners in California have put together a handy ballot guide to help you decide how to vote on some of the top initiatives offered on your ballot this year. Propositions can be confusing. Click here to check it out: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=93307&id=24989-6852587-EktWARx&t=100

• Also, the League of Young Voters has put together a site where groups and individuals can post do-it-yourself voter guides. Check out your state here: http://theballot.org/

Where and when do I vote?

• Find your polling place, voting times, and other important information at http://pol.moveon.org/votinginfo2010.html, using an application developed by the Voting Information Project. 

• You can also get your polling location by texting "where" to 30644 from your mobile phone.

• These resources are excellent, but not perfect, so to double-check information, you can use the Voting Information Project application to find contact information for your state or local election official.

What do I need to bring?

• Voting ID laws vary from state to state, but if you have ID, bring it. To find out the details, check out your state's info at http://www.866ourvote.org/state.

• You can also find more information by calling or checking out the website of your state election official. Look up their contact information here: http://pol.moveon.org/votinginfo2010.html/

What if something goes wrong?

• Not on the voter list? Make sure you're at the right polling place, then ask for a provisional ballot.

• Need legal help? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE or email help@866ourvote.org 

And, for women, we only gained the right to vote in 1920. Women suffered ridicule, laws designed to prevent them from voting, jail and torture to gain us the right to vote. It was a suffragette war world wide. Now,as it turns out, more women in the U.S. vote than men. And, that's something to think about!
(Recipe tomorrow.)