Election Day 2008: Vote early, and vote often (I kid!)

Today, November 4, 2008, is Election Day in the United States.  People from across the country will be going to the polls to cast their vote for President, Congressional seats, State Senate and House races, various local positions, and numerous propositions and ballots.

If you're unsure whether or not you plan to vote today, please, I urge you, take time to do so.  All elections are important, but this one especially so.  Each of us has the opportunity to make a bold statement about the state of affairs in our country.  We as a nation can send a clear message to leaders and legislators that we are unhappy with the status quo of politics, and want a significant change.

Whether you are an independent, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitution party member, Green party member, or some other affiliation (or maybe none of the above!), visit your local voting precinct and cast your ballot.  You'll be happy that you did.  As an added bonus, showing your "I Voted!" sticker at Ben & Jerry's gets you free ice cream, and at Starbucks gets you free coffee:

Below is a US map showing at what time the polls close in each state, and below the map is a table of the closing times and key races in each state (all times are Eastern!):

The table below shows the closing times (in Eastern time!) for each state.

Please make time to get to the polls today, you'll be glad that you did.   As Bill Vaughan once said, "A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election."  Let's make this time different ... take the short walk across the street and vote.  Thank you.