It’s time for each of us to be the difference. If Florida’s 2.74 million public school children could go to the polls they surely would. This Monday, October 6th is the last day to register to vote in Florida’s 2014 General election. Now is the time to check with family and friends to make sure they have a plan for voting. Show them how to register and offer to help them deliver completed forms to their Supervisor of Elections. Know your voting status, make sure your address is correct. Absentee ballots are on their way. Make sure they are filled out and returned.
Voting keeps our democracy alive. It’s the only thing our children have. The past four years in Tallahassee have produced seven end of course exams for every kindergartner and an explosion of thousands of expensive new high stakes tests.
Everything could be different if we all made a pledge to vote. Punitive standardized tests could be turned into helpful no-fear diagnostic tools. Top-down one-size fits all mandates could be replaced with parents, teachers and districts fighting in respectful collaboration at the local level for the success of every child. It all rests in our hands.
We are the millions of hard working Floridians whose hopes for their children depend on a free high quality public education. If we want our tax dollars to be generously invested in providing a rich expanded curriculum that celebrates the individuality of each child, voting is the only way it will happen. Our children are watching. Who among us can say no to them? Your vote is an act of love.
Please share this post with your friends. Remind them to make a plan to vote. Help one another.
Bring one of the following photo IDs to the polls:
- Florida driver’s license
- Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- U.S. passport
- U.S. military ID card
- debit or credit card with your photo
- student ID card with your photo
- retirement center identification with your photo
- neighborhood association identification with your photo
- public assistance identification with your photo
- If the ID you show does not have your signature, you must bring another ID with your signature on it. The ID with your signature does not have to include your photo. You will also have to sign your name.
Spanish translation: Florida Guide to Voting & Registration click here.
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