Vote Early and Don’t Scribble

Here in Florida, early Primary voting started Saturday. There were eight places in our county ready to go, so we chose the new library. It was a sunny mid-morning and we were surprised to see the parking lot so full and active. Several greeters instructed us to have our ID ready and go inside. No one was interested in the new voting card we had just received. That came a few weeks ago with instructions to "make sure your party affiliate and all information is up to date." So they are updating voting records.

Older women seemed to be running things, and were friendly, but no-nonsense. We had to show a photo ID (I showed my license) and each had an iPad that scanned your info to make sure it matched what they had on record. After she scanned, she kept staring at the picture, then at me, then the picture again. "Yep - that's you." she smiled. I assumed she just couldn't believe how young I looked for my age.....and finally handed it back. Satisfied, she then flipped the iPad and said, "Please sign here.......and don't scribble! Write your name clearly. No scribble scrabble." I had flashbacks of fourth grade.

I was then directed to a space where I filled out my voting sheet. I waited for my husband to finish even though I gave him the answers on a cheat sheet ahead of time. We got up and were directed to place our sheets, face up or down - it didn't matter she said, and it was sucked in. I went to walk away, when the lady in charge of those machines said, "Wait a minute, please read the screen." She said, "See what it says — your vote has been counted." This was not done as a joke. She wanted me to see the screen before I left. Only then did I get my "I Voted" sticker and was told which door to exit. I had a feeling there would be no funny business with this crew in charge.

However, funny business is surfacing all over. For weeks, we've been receiving mail flyers to vote for this candidate or that, sometimes bashing the opponent, sometimes with pictures of Trump or DeSantis, making it look like they endorse this person. I felt a little lazy this time, and had my sample ballot already marked up with names I was familiar with.

Then guilt set in, and I thought I better do some digging before I give a person my vote. On a few, the more I dug, the more I not only found some sketchy information, but also found funds and groups that seemed unsavory, putting out these slanderous mailers. I looked for concrete endorsements, like long-time newspapers and reputable stories for endorsement confirmations. I couldn't believe I was so easily manipulated by a few misleading mailers and stories sent out by watery marketers. Also, some new faces seem to be the better choice over the good ol'.......you know what I mean.

Like many of you on the big picture, I have been stunned and mystified at the sudden love fest of the new presidential candidate, Kamala Harris. The amount of funds pouring in at such a rapid rate seemed impossible. The new spin on her rise from the pits of low popularity was predictable, but this sudden huge cash trove was too much. This recent article by Glenn Beck talks about a "small donor" group called Act Blue, and their role in her sudden fundraising riches.

"ActBlue, the left’s main small-donor fundraiser platform, reported $27.5 million in donations within the first five hours of her announcing her campaign two weeks ago. Just a few hours later, that number nearly doubled to $46.7 million. ActBlue said the haul was its biggest fundraising day of the entire 2024 election cycle. After 24 hours, ActBlue was reporting over $90 million for Mrs. Yellow School Bus." https://www.glennbeck.com/glenn-beck/actblue-lie-kamala-harris

The story digs further into this group's activities that sparked an interview with FEC Allen Dickerson. “My team conducted its own research, finding donations to ActBlue under names that differ only by a single letter with identical contributions,” he said. “Citizen journalists across the country have found similar trends, and we’re seeing similar cases pop up in more states all over the country.”

Also, is it legal that Harris just "inherits" Biden's war chest? These are donations that he raised, not her. The questions are exhausting, but let's follow the money and demand answers, because that seems to make everything tick, unfortunately.

I hope your voting experience is good, free, and honest. Just to be on the safe side, keep praying!