Add This to Your To-Do List: Go Vote

>>BY ANN CARROLL     What are you doing right now? You’re not working, because you’re reading this—and I’m glad you’re reading this! After, maybe you’ll check email, or fold clothes, or post adorable photos of your dog on Facebook.

But you should be VOTING! And if you’ve already voted, then please harass your Mom or friends about voting, or offer to take an elderly neighbor to the polls. Your actions today will impact the state – and you – for the next two years.

If you don’t believe in the importance of voting, just look at what happened when we had low voter turn-out in the 2010 elections. We got lawmakers who cut funding to education, repealed the Racial Justice Act, and refused federal money for a Medicare expansion.

Beyond voting, you need to know what you’re voting for. The other day, I went to vote early and they asked if I’d like to see a sample ballot. I took one look at the names and, save for a few statewide races, I knew nothing about any of the candidates. I backed right out and went next door to the library to do some homework while my kids rummaged through the books. To me, voting for people who don’t support my ideologies is worse than not voting at all.

The people elected today will influence our children’s education, environment, public benefits and much more. I know you’re busy. But voting will be the most impactful and important thing you do today, even if it doesn’t feel that way. If you can, take your kids. It’s a great civic lesson for them, and mine even got stickers and candy from the awesome poll workers out of the deal.

So – should I say it again? Go vote! Spread the word. Share it on Facebook, tweet it from the rooftops (or Tweetdeck, in social media speak). Here’s everything you need to know so you have no excuse for ignorance:

• You don’t need a photo ID at the polls until 2016.
• You need to vote in the right precinct – you can double check >>here.
• The polls are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm.
• If you have any questions or problems, you can call 1-888-OUR-VOTE