The thoughts and ideas expressed below are exclusively those of Jack Straley and www.justplaintalkwithjack.com  We may agree, and that’s fine, or we may disagree, that’s okay too.  My sole purpose is to encourage others to think, study, and become involved. Exercise your freedom and above all, when presented the opportunity, please vote.

The official day for voting for federal offices was not established in the Constitution and is not an amendment.  It is statutorily set by the U.S. government as “the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November” of even-numbered years, i.e. the Tuesday that occurs within November 2 to November 8.  Before then, states were allowed to hold elections any time they pleased within a 34-day period before the first Wednesday in December.  Election Day has always been a single day set aside for voting, not a month prior to, nor two weeks after said date, but on that particular day.

Mail in voting was initially intended for voters unable to go to the polling place on Election Day.  Some states now allow mail-in ballots for convenience, but some still refer to them as absentee ballots. Some states that require an approved excuse to vote by mail allow voters with permanent disabilities to apply for permanent absentee voter status.  Mail in balloting has opened many avenues for voter fraud and voter corruption, the Democrat Party has become masters at abusing this system of convenience.  It is my opinion that all voting should be done on one day, in person, with proof of United States citizenship.  Every employer should be mandated to excuse people from work for a reasonable time to vote on that day, the only exception those individuals physically unable to participate in such manner.

With the technical advances we have we should be able to have totals and declare a winner within twelve hours of the closing time for polling locations.  We are already being told some locations may be from ten to twenty days after close of voting before results may be known.  This is simply a ploy to buy time for manipulation of votes.  All counting of votes should be conducted in public locations with poll workers watching the entire process.

Voting is a constitutional right, but Election Day is dictated by congress.  If you disagree with the date become active and petition your representation to make changes.  One simple change, if change is truly necessary, would be to move the day to a Friday, declaring such day as a holiday and allow voting over a three day weekend.  People would probably still not vote but use this time as a mini-vacation.  All voting should be standard as far as starting date and time and ending date and time.  Early voting is controlled by the individual states.

However you decide to vote, vote.  Over ten million registered gun owners historically do not vote yet they scream for gun ownership.  A major portion of Christians do not vote, yet the Bible dictates that Christians should participate in selecting our leaders, but they don’t vote.  It is our privilege to vote in free, secret elections and we should accept it as our patriotic duty.

God Bless America and help keep it strong by voting.  Vote wisely and carefully.

Life is hard but it’s harder when you’re stupid.  The cure for stupid is education.