So, it seems that I won't be voting in my first US election after all. And I blame it firmly on the DMV.
During the naturalization ceremony, we were handed huge voter registration packets. I should have been smart and filled it in then, instead of trying to optimize and do it at the DMV. I ticked the little box that said that it was my first registration to vote and then filled out exactly the same form. I turned it in; I talked to the lady about it. And I waited.
The Wizard's vote by mail packet came. I waited a week to see if mine had got lost in the mail. But nothing happened. It took me another couple of days to figure out where to go, who to call, and to get a human. I told the human what I had done and got the following response: "Oh yeah, the DMV is such a black hole. Sorry."
Sorry doesn't cut it. The DMV is understaffed and overworked. DMV employees have been subject to the same enforced "holidays" as other state workers. They are probably also underpaid. And, yes, two different bureaucracies have no incentive to talk to each other. I should have known; I probably could have guessed. But as it is, I am apparently not on the electoral rolls, and I didn't figure that out until after the deadline for voter registration had passed.
insert all possible swear words.
Ouch!
ReplyDeleteOr is it sort of a "Welcome to being an American" sort of thing?? Or, disenfranchised so quickly? Or do you have to be enfranchised first?
But truly that sucks.
I always like to think that every vote counts, but I can imagine if I found out I couldn't vote, I might have to look for all the ways my vote wouldn't make much a difference this time around.
You sound so understanding of the DMV...not sure how you could muster that so soon.
If it's at all possible you are on the rolls, you can attempt to show up at your local polling place. Ours accepts drivers' licenses since so many misplace voter registration cards (which don't carry their own photo id/proof of identity anyway).
ReplyDeleteI would call the Supervisor of Elections Office in your area and explain the situation as well as asking what might have happened with the DMV paperwork. You're right. Sorry doesn't cut it.
ReplyDeleteIf you have already talked to them and this is their response, that should not cut it either, and anon is also right: "Welcome to America."
Do what you can to register now for the future and document every step.