I like to offer my opinion, but had to learn as I grew up that there are appropriate and inappropriate occasions for that. The most appropriate time and place ever is the voting booth on election day. I couldn’t wait to turn 18 and go express myself on a ballot.

In all of the intervening years (there have been a lot) I’ve only ever missed voting in one election. There was a single city bond issue at stake and I had a stomach virus. I still regret how the world was deprived of my input.

I have a plan tomorrow. It involves dragging a 20-year-old along. He was diligently researching and filling out his sample ballot yesterday. He’s a responsible, informed, caring person, and would vote even if I didn’t make him. But I want to do it as a mother-son activity, so I’m making him accompany me early, before I go to work.

What’s your plan for voting? Or have you cast your ballot already? If you don’t yet know where to show up or what to bring, check that here. Your voice matters. If you can at all, show up and vote.