Happy November 1st! Just to remind you we have an obligation to vote next week.

As you consider who you're going to vote for this Tuesday, consider this:

• Studies have shown that more attractive politicians get greater press coverage and more air time
• Voters see more rotund male candidates as more trustworthy and even more inspiring than their thinner competition.
• We tend to favor men with specific facial characteristics, which basically boils down to voting for more distinguished-looking gentlemen as opposed to "baby-faced" candidates.
• According to a a study at MIT this phenomenon isn't limited by where you vote. People in different countries continually find certain candidates more trustworthy and electable based on their looks, no matter how different their cultures. And as long as those politicians are guys, it is the chubby yet distinguished-looking ones every time.
• Studies have shown that if your local polling place is a school, you will vote yes for more school initiatives on the ballot, especially if there are teachers or students nearby.
• A recent study found that churches -- which are the most common polling locations in America -- can make you turn in a ballot that is more conservative than your actual beliefs.
• The outcome of college football games can determine how we vote in the elections that actually matter. It does make the people of that state less likely to fire someone, or in electoral politics, to vote against an incumbent running for re-election.

Just some thoughts as we start to think who to vote for.