How did this happen? It is October already? It seems like just yesterday was Valentines day. The weather has noticeably cooled off here, lows in the 50s F, highs in the 60's F some days.
What is happening? There is an election in a month. No real contested races where I live, but it is still important to get out and vote. I skipped an election once, an idiot was elected governor, and spent 4 years thinking, I can't complain because I didn't vote against, or for the idiot. Every election counts.
What have I been doing about it? Over the summer and into the fall I had a very bright undergrad student on an independent research project, looking at a pet project of mine. Assistance available to voters who need assistance with voting. He researched all 50 states, and this past week we published his results. This was inspired by Ron, a friend of mine who lives in Pennsylvania. He is living with dementia, when he voted in the primary one year he had difficulty operating the computerized voting machine. The next time he went to vote he asked the poll workers to allow his wife to help him operate the machine, he knew who he wanted to vote for, he just needed help pushing the right buttons. He was denied help. If he had known beforehand what his rights were, he could have called the secretary of state's voter assistance line and they would have instructed the local poll workers what they could allow. He had tears in his eyes when he said, "I still don't know if my vote was properly cast when I left the machine."
Just released! The 50 State Listing of Available Voter Assistance is a state-by-state guide that will assist voters to be able to fully participate in the electoral process. A free resource from the ABA Commission on Law and Aging. Download here: http://ow.ly/8aF250KW5yb.
(Oh my, there is a hint what I do in my day job.)
Where have I been? The grocery store, the farmers market, the office. After the road trip and diversion I am home for a couple of weeks.
Who have I seen? My sweet bear, my colleagues . . . kinda quiet. Actually a party hosted by our past director, with many of my colleagues and a past colleague.
Where am I going? Into the office three times this week, I have a board meeting on Friday. Later this month, Montreal and Boston.
What have I been reading? Greenlights by Mathew McConaughey - he is at least a little crazy, but also seems to know how to get himself grounded.
What am I enjoying? Baking, cooking, and the cooler weather. I made an apple tart and my holiday fruitcake.
What have I been thinking? I really enjoyed the week away, and the last day of it I spent totally disconnected from the office. I need to do that more. It helps me look forward to retirement.
Who deserves an atta-boy? Noah Austin for finishing the voting access chart.
Who deserves a slap? Vendors who guilt trip you into leaving a positive online review, even if you really are just happy, not thrilled. 1 out of 5, maybe 2 out of 5.
What am I watching? Gold Rush, and YouTube.
What made me smile? A flattering message from a friendly blogger.
How have I been feeling? I came home with a bit of an upper respiratory thing. Emotionally, pretty good. I am responding well the craziness that can be life and work.
What am I writing? Mostly stuff for work, a defense handbook, and a couple of program outlines for my friend in Hawaii who is plotting to get me back there for a couple of days of work. (Five days back in early 2015.) And of course, blog posts.
What am I looking forward to? The adventures planned for this fall, and to reading your comments and blogs.
I used to think electronic voting would be a great idea. But while all the back up and details are contained electronically and used at polling places, votes are still made with a pencil on a ballot paper. I thought of the situation of someone coerced into voting 'correctly' by a partner at home if an electronic vote could be made at home. Generally our voting system, federal, state and local is trusted and I expect I could think of other reasons why electronic voting might not be such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteMail in ballots always have the risk of who completed them, and many older voters enjoy the process of going to a polling place and voting. I certainly do.
DeleteI love what you’re doing professionally (and personally) regarding voting rights and assistance. As for vendors and those ratings. Our local department store had a pop-up window when you paid at the register directly in front of the salesperson and in plain sight that asked you to rate the service. Well, it sucked, but I certainly didn’t want to have to get into it directly with the person who sucked. But you were obligated to selected a rating number. Do they really think that kind of survey system will measure anything?
ReplyDeleteI will share a little more about some of the work we are doing.
DeleteWhen all else fails, and the vendor is right in front of you, I hit "Satisfactory," which to me means not good, but at least I got my stuff done.
ReplyDeleteI can be so picky about perfection
DeleteI could tell from previous posts that you worked for some kind of legal policy/issues think tank with an emphasis on elder law, so thanks for the more specific "hint." Wow, sweet gig! No wonder you travel all over the USA for lectures and training sessions.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a valuable guide! I have no idea what the law is here in Canada about voter assistance. I should do some basic research and find out.
In addition to the "satisfaction" surveys, I've also noticed a lot of product rating going on. Would you rate those jeans you bought? How about rating that juicer you bought? Tell us what you think of that blouse you recently purchased. I never reply.
ReplyDeleteI do occasionally rate things on Amazon, esp if they are really good.
DeleteI would love to get this sign or have sweet shirt made
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay save
Blogger is back to eating my comments, I see.
ReplyDeleteI love this sign. It hangs in my home office in the basement and is my backdrop on Video Meetings.
ReplyDeleteSassybear
https://idleeyesandadormy.com/