in which my constituational rights are in serious jeapordy

[wisdomeagle]

I want to register to vote, dammit! I'll be 18 before election day, which is two days after my birthday this year, and thus I should be eligble to register since I am a US citizen, a resident of MA, and will be 18 on or before election day. But you can't register to vote until you ARE 18, apparently, at least according to the otherwise quite nice lady at the RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles), and you need to be registered 20 days before the election. Hence unless I can figure this whole confusion out, I can't vote in this next election even though I am entitled to by the Constitution. Damn damn damn.

I have a learner's permit, by the way. Woo and go me.

Comments

[mislight.livejournal.com]

To an extent, yes, you are guaranteed a vote according to the constitution - but as George Carlin has so astutely pointed out, a lot of the candidates for office aren't worth voting for anyhow.

[greyink.livejournal.com]

Ack, awful reasoning. If you don't vote, you can't possibly bitch and moan about the results of an election (unless you're underage, of course) --you haven't done ANYTHING to try to change the course of the country. Your constitutional rights give you the opportunity to vote. You should be able to use that opportunity. You have an obligation to yourself and your morals to do what you think is right, and that includes voting for your favored candidate.

Meh. I understand why this would be upsetting. I'd be raging at the otherwise-quite-nice lady at the Registry.

Re:

[wisdomeagle]

True. BUT that doesn't mean that it isn't possible to work for transformation within the system

[greyink.livejournal.com]

Amen. *points up to her comment*

Re:

[wisdomeagle]

Precisely. I love your new icon, by the way.

[mellfromva.livejournal.com]

The DMV lady is wrong. Just don't ask her. Go to the student union and pick up an application; they should be readily available. If they're not there, try the library. Fill out an application, and then wait 'til about a month or two before your birthday to send it in; you're required to be 18 as of the date you vote. The question will ask "Will you be 18 as of the next scheduled voting" just say yes. I registered when I was still 17. Registering in VA is really easy; it's just a dinky little form.

After you're done registering, prepare yourself for the huge letdown when the reality of the electoral college and it's impact in a state like Virginia sinks in....

Re:

[wisdomeagle]

I'm registering to vote in MA, 'cause it's my permanent residence.