Approaching Election Day, I look forward to simply advocating Americans take their right to vote seriously; that they exercise on or before Election Day. 365 days ago I blogged that Voting Matters. Matters even more this year.

Interestingly the ballots Shelly and I cast may matter more on three City Charter referenda than on candidates (I fully expected the re-election of junior U.S. Senator, Governor, State Comptroller, Member of Congress, and Member of the Assembly. I also believe voters will overwhelmingly elect the Democrats running for Attorney General and State Senator where we live.). I cherish this right, take it serious and make a point of exercising it. Shelly and I already discussed what time we’ll exercise it. Though we’ve been nearly 32 years at our home, we “enjoyed” more changes in polling places than one might expect. Four different public schools and one church despite not moving. Three different Assembly District and three different Congressional districts. Where we vote, I play ball twice most weeks; but not yesterday – we visited our grandniece Eden (already a good negotiator!) and this Tuesday, Polling Stations there preclude our ability to play full court. Still, I enjoy exercising my right to vote at the place I attended elementary school.

When I read about and examine reports and data indicating greater levels of voting, it heartens me. I always argue more folks participating in the electoral process strengthens our Democracy. It means more folks care and find value in trying to making a difference in our lives.

Last year my voting message reprinted verbatim my 1980 October 1980 editorial, "EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE," from Hofstra University School of Law's CONSCIENCE. I neglected to share I based it on the first speech I ever drafted professionally at my gig held before I left to start Hofstra; the intended audience then: high school students. Please read it either in the 2017 blog or its original version.

In the editorial, I focused on measures to ease voting and goose participation; it included instant voter registration when one votes, extending voting hours and making Election Day a national holiday. I would add extending early voting allowed in 37 states and Washington, D.C. to 13 states without it. Technology not available today opens up another avenue I want explored. In an exchange with one of my three attorney friends (all also deeply involved in charitable works) named Vincent on voting, he emailed, “We’re way past concerns about election fraud via online voting; given the existing risks to traditional voting mechanisms, as well as the bevy of intentional online misinformation, it’s time to expand voting to include secure online participation.” I agree. On line, we already renew our driver’s licenses, registrations, pay our taxes, bank. I even even renewed my attorney registration on line.

So why not online voting, an idea whose time came about a decade ago. Vincent Chirico also opines, “Time to engage the modern voter, expand voting to a week-long process, eliminate paper ballots, provide automatic registration, and create cyber-secure elections systems.” Find myself in total agreement here.

DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6.  Please urge your family, friends, and colleagues to vote.

A simple message: You Make A Difference When You Vote. So Please Exercise That Right!