How to Register to Vote

Today I registered to vote for the fist time in twenty years. I'm forty-seven. I have felt completely disenchanted with our political system for a very long time. You can't convince me that it is efficient, effective, or honest. See more on why I quit here.

The polarization of politics is disgusting to me and wildly deceptive. We're almost always fighting about the wrong thing, not even hearing each other. I didn't want to be a part of the problem. But I do want to be a part of the solution. The more I get to know the diverse human population on a deep level through my work and life, the more I want to help us all do better. I truly believe we are not going to be ok until we are all ok.

What I have realized in the last year is that I actually can have an effect on the way things run in society around me, both by behaving as I believe we should all behave (with kindness, generosity and compassion), but also by using my tiny little vote in the small elections to make a significant difference, from the ground up. Small change can then affect big change.

I still don't know exactly how to do this, but I am learning and thought I'd share with you my process as I navigate it. My first step was to figure out how to re-register to vote. I've missed the few opportune moments where those booths pop up at the mall or in front of Walmart. But today I corrected my residential address with the state (because I moved) and low and behold they offered me a quick and easy way to re-register. Check out your DMV's website. Arkansas's is here.

I also learned the effects of registering with a party versus as an independent. Turns out in my state there are a lot of benefits and freedom in registering independent, primarily that I am able to choose which primaries are most important for me to influence in any given election. This opportunity just changed this month in Arkansas! Check out this website if you want to learn the other benefits.

Happy registering!