Vote! Vote! Vote!

Shinkansen, a Japanese high speed bullet train

You keep hearing it: This is the most important election in years (ever? in our lifetimes?). The deadline to register to vote was this past Tuesday, October 21. Here at the library, we had a large number of people asking for voter registration forms, asking how to change party affiliations, and asking about polling places. For us, it is very satisfying to work in a place like Hillview Library that can assist people with these questions and help them participate in our democracy. It was great to see 18-year-olds registering to vote for the first time, and older people also taking an active interest in this election.

If you think that the presidential election is unimportant, or if you think that your vote will not make a difference in the federal process, that certainly is your prerogative. But, we'd also encourage you to vote because there are many state, county, and city initiatives that need to be decided. Exciting things, like high speed rail (similar to those found in France, Germany, and Japan) which promises to travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles in about 2 1/2 hours at speeds of up to 220 mph. Wow, that's fast!

Also, Hillview Library is a polling place this year(!), so if you live nearby, you may be coming in to our library to vote. Have you forgotten where you vote this year? Check here:

http://eservices.sccgov.org/pollingplace/prepare.do?action=begin

Just type in your street number, street name, and zip code, then press submit, and Voila!, your polling place appears. Pretty, pretty cool.

Are you unsure of whom to vote for, or what the initiatives mean? Go to The League of Women Voters website. The League provides nonpartisan political information in order to encourage and increase the active participation of citizens in government. Here you'll find plenty of information about candidates, propositions, and initiatives.