Entry bubble How Does Your Representative Vote?

By: Joanne | June 24, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

U.S. Capitol buildingYou know how it goes; you pay a little attention to political candidates before an election, and you uphold your responsibility to vote for the candidate of your choice. Once they’re in office you’re too busy to think about what they’re doing with the power you’ve given them.

At the national level, sometimes we see news stories about hot topics and bills being passed by the U.S. Congress. I’ve often seen people write in to USA.gov wanting to contact a high profile member of the House or Senate in order to express an opinion on a topic.

There’s something you need to know about contacting a member of Congress – they answer to their constituents, that is, the people in their voting district. If you really want to get your message through to the Congress, you’ve got to keep tabs on the House Member or Senator from your voting district. When they do something you like, let them know! When they do something you don’t like, let them know! Sometimes I feel like only special interest groups have influence over their members of Congress, but then I also wonder if the special interest groups are the only voices being heard because the rest of us just grumble about public policy in our kitchens.

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Entry bubble Political Activity for Federal Employees (The Hatch Act)

By: Sommer | February 01, 2008 | Category: General

The 2008 presidential election is a really big deal for our country. It’s nice to see so many people turning out for the primaries.

Under the Hatch Act, though, federal, state, and local employees need to use some caution during the campaigning and election process, since they are only allowed to participate in limited activities. Under new laws, most federal employees can volunteer and contribute to the election process, but some restrictions still remain.

Remember that employees of certain federal agencies may not participate in any partisan political activities.

All federal employees may:

  • Register and vote as they choose
  • Assist in voter registration drives
  • Express opinions about candidates and issues
  • Contribute money to political organizations
  • Attend political rallies and meetings
  • Sign nominating petitions
  • Campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
  • Join political clubs or parties

Federal employees may never:

  • Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election
  • Solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before the agency
  • Solicit, accept, or receive political contributions
  • Engage in political activity while on duty, in a government office, while wearing an official uniform, or while using a government vehicle (This includes sending political emails from your government computer and email account.)
  • Become a candidate in a partisan election

If you violate the Hatch Act you could lose your job.  Make sure you fully understand your rights under this legislation before taking up a political cause. 

Happy Groundhog Day tomorrow! Pray that Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow – I’m ready for spring!!

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Entry bubble Did You Register to Vote Yet?

By: Joanne | January 29, 2008 | Category: General

Almost all states require you to be registered to vote before election day, and voter registration laws vary from state to state. I think I’m going to change my party affiliation this year and I know that I want to vote in the primary, so I’ve got to complete my registration 30 days before the primary.

Voters at a Polling Station

You can register to vote by filling out a form and sending it in the mail, or you can contact your state election office for other options.  If you want to vote by absentee ballot, there’s paperwork you need to do for that as well, and a special process for voters overseas who want to vote by absentee ballot. Confused yet? To make it worse, deadlines for all this stuff vary from state to state so get the facts from your state elections office early—like now.

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Entry bubble When’s the Presidential Primary in Your State?

By: Joanne | January 22, 2008 | Category: General


Sign indicating that a voting polling place is a 100 feet away

It’s January 2008 and wake up people, because it’s Presidential primary time! Every time I check the news, it’s all about Presidential candidates, polls, caucuses and South Carolina, South Carolina, South Carolina.

So, do you know when your state’s Presidential primary is? I sure didn’t, so I looked it up. Whew…I’ve got some time to make up my mind. I’ve always been good about voting in general elections, but I need to do a better job of participating in the primaries too. After all, it’s my only chance to have an impact on who’s actually running for President.  Are you a voter? I’m always shocked by how low voter turn-out is in our country. I like to do it – it makes me feel like I’ve been given license to complain. So mark your calendar!  Get out and vote!



| Comments [2] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: caucus   democrat   election   joanne   polling   president   primary   republican   vote