In August of 1972, I was so angry, troubled, and alarmed about the policies of my government that I traveled hundreds of miles, slept outdoors, tried and failed to hold my breath through clouds of tear gas, and was very nearly arrested, while protesting at the Republican National Convention in Miami.
Three months later, in November, I did not vote.
I had just moved ... I was unclear on voter registration requirements, and ... blah, blah, blah.... Excuses, all of it.
It turned out I was right about the corruption of Richard Nixon and the cynics who enabled him, seeking power and profit at the expense of poorer, less educated, more vulnerable people.
I had good reasons to be angry, and troubled and alarmed. I had good reasons to push through the tear gas and resist those people and their abuses of power.
I had good reasons to vote.
I’m pretty sure I was smart enough, even without the internet, to get all that sorted in a timely manner. As a freshman, I managed to stand on line for hours to get into college classes I wanted. As a sophomore, I managed to talk my way into a new college a week after classes began. But, as a junior, after the tear gas and drama of public protest, somehow I didn’t manage to hit the voter registration deadline
Those days in Miami stand out as my most memorable days of protest against injustice and corruption. But my most meaningful days of protest — of positive action in the cause of liberty and justice for all — are the days when I registered to vote in each state where I lived after 1972 — Georgia, Colorado, California, back to Colorado, California again, and Washington — and the days when I’ve voted in local, state, and national elections.
Are you registered to vote at your current residence? You can register here https://buff.ly/2Nobpud
Not sure? You can check here: https://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state/
