if you haven't ever registered, or if you've moved, changed your name, let your registration lapse (in some states that used to take you off the rolls), you need to register to vote. In Washington state, you have TWO MORE DAYS to do this, though you can walk in and register in person before october 20. some states let you register AT THE POLLS.

There are 32 days before the election. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REGISTER TO VOTE. If you have any concerns that your registration is not current, PLEASE check. in my county, you can type in your name and date of birth and they will get back a page that says you are registered, where you vote, and offers a sample ballot with all the candidates and issues that will be up for vote on November 4. It even noted that i was a "permanent absentee" vote - I mail in all my ballots. (see http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/voterlookup.aspx) I registered absentee years ago when I was still walking (but not well) and it was a hassle getting to the school where I voted and unlike when I was a kid, no one called to offer me a ride to the polls. I remember I even called a campaign noce to ask.

When we moved to Seattle in October, 1990, our friend Amy showed up with voter registration forms the first night or second night we were here, as we were at dinner at a friend's house. She came personally to make sure we would not miss the opportunity to vote and to get us registered before the deadline. That's a first for me - a voter registration before my library card! We've never had such service!

PLEASE REGISTER TO VOTE. i have added a link to VOTE411.org, a great resource where you can register. You can also register to vote if you are overseas, if you are not at a permanent address (in some states). Tell your friend to REGISTER TO VOTE please. If anyone is worried about confidentiality because they are fleeing domestic violence, your address can be kept confidential and not put on the lists. If you know someone homeless, there are ways to register. Don't forget folks in the hospital.

Rockthevote.com/ is a great resource. they remind us that there are 32 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

The vice presidential candidates debate tonight. Last night as I was cruising through the living room a clip of Sara Palin was on "the Daily show with Jon Stewart".. Palin, who believes by the way that homosexuality is a "choice" was asked by Katie Couric what her views would be in the situation were a 15 year old girl was made pregnant by her father. Palin replied that she would "counsel to choose life". if you don't know it - Palin is anti-abortion and in this answer which she reiterated to Couric, she was saying that the 15 year old should have the baby, despite the "horrific horrific circumstances that this person would find themselves in" (assuming she meant the horrific circumstances applied to the girl. (sorry but this answer went beyond acceptable for me) She made it clear, by the way, that she opposes jailing someone for having an abortion - in all fairness I want that made clear since that is important - but Palin made it very clear that she believes "life begins at conception" and that this fictional teenager should be made to carry this child." "Choosing life" apparently does not apply to the mother of the child, the quality of life, or the choice that such a person might want to make. (To see this, go to http://smurl.name/h9g8)

The debate is tonight. PLEASE REGISTER TO VOTE if that concerns you at all. if you are concerned about the war, the way the Supreme Court votes, Gitmo. If you wonder if any child has been left behind, if you worry that the effects of hurricane Katrina still linger, that deregulation hasn't helped the airlines, Wall Street or food safety and production. Fill in your own blank.

If you haven't every voted because you think it doesn't matter, please know that it does matter. Every time. This time more than ever, I believe. But please, even if you're tired, cynical about the process and the system (I've been that way for decades!)

Please i>(wheedle wheedle) please register! If you need help, email me and i will find you a form andi will not say anything to bug you, but i want you registered please! if you're out today or tomorrow, go to a library (the forms are supposed to be in our branches, maybe yours too?). My wonderful local coffee joint had a stack at the front door the other day (goooooo, Monkey Grind! http://www.monkeygrind.com/Home.html)

Haul out your wallet and make sure your registration info is up to date in case you moved or something's changed that would cause a complication when you go to your polling place.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REGISTER TO VOTE. This one is really important.

http://www.vote411.org/

Go.