• On the twelfth day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “educate and be prepared to demonstrate.” That is, thoroughly educate yourself on all of the issues while you still can and properly prioritize them.  Then on Election Day, demonstrate that you fully comprehend those issues and know what is at stake by properly prioritizing them and voting for the top priority!
• On the eleventh day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “keep abreast of political issues in real-time and continue to review and properly prioritize all of them.”
• On the tenth day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “beware of smoke and mirrors and cunning soundbites.” That is, watch what incumbent politicians and those politicians running for election/reelection do or have done and not what they say.
• On the nineth day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “gas prices continue to be way too high and it hurts to go to the supermarket because food prices are still too high; and the crime… Maybe the Republicans…”  No, the Republicans can’t.  Republicans don’t have a magic wand they can wave and make everything better.  Remember, “watch what these politicians do or have done and not what they say!”
• On the eighth day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “money and power v. democracy. Which of the two will it be?  It’s binary.”  That is, it has to be one or the other.  There are no other options available!  Keep your priorities straight!
• On the seventh day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “Democrats, Republicans and Independents; it’s a Party thing.” That is, I’m a (fill in the blank), I have to stick with my Party, right?  I know that the Republican Party has made a few mistakes lately but…  Again, “watch what these politicians do or have done and not what they say!  Keep your priorities straight; there is an existential threat to democracy!  You decide!  And it is you alone who can decide!
• On the sixth day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “midterm election fatigue is knocking at my door.” That is, I am tired of all of the chaos, hearing about how America is a “rule of law” country and the law applies to all citizens equally while the rich and powerful are not held to account, listening to cunning political soundbites, watching the trust in the Supreme Court by Americans continue to plummet, and the list goes on.  Beware of smoke and mirrors!  And, keep your priorities straight; there is an existential threat to democracy and it impacts on Democrats, Republicans and Independents!
• On the fifth day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “freedom is not free, we must fight for it!” That is, now is not the time to grow weary and quit.  This is what those who prefer an autocracy over a democracy are hoping for; that those who want America to remain a democracy will quit.
• On the fourth day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “lovers of democracy might grow weary but we will not quit!” That is, we will press forward through the weariness and we will continue to fight for democracy and that which is not free; freedom!
• On the third day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “even through uncertainty we have managed to keep our eyes on the prize and we are almost there.
• On the second day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “why are we Democrats so inept at messaging when we have had years to learn and get better at it?!” That is, why is the Republican party so much better at messaging than the Democrats?  Is that why so many races are extremely tight when we should be running away with them?!  Will we ever learn?!
• On the first day before Election Day what came to mind for me was, “why am I/are you so focused on criticizing the Democratic party instead of doing everything that I/you can to help turn out the vote under this unprecedented threat to the American democracy? Let’s keep our priorities straight!  Let’s focus and put all of our effort into saving America; saving our democracy!”
• On the day of Election Day what came to mind for me was, “I have already voted.” That is – in the spirit of what was mentioned on the twelfth day before Election Day in this article, “I have already educated and demonstrated.”  So, since I have already voted – I have always voted prior to Election Day, I need to cast all negative thoughts and thoughts about criticism aside.  Instead, I need to continue right up until the deadline to do everything that I can to encourage anyone who hasn’t voted to vote.

There you have it.  That’s the twelve days before Election Day food for thought list.  If this article encouraged even one person who would not have voted to get out and vote then I will consider my efforts a success.  I encourage anyone who reads this article to do everything that you can to encourage those that you know to vote.  If we want our vote to continue to count, we absolutely must “keep our priorities straight” and make sure that we vote for the top priority.

So always remember, whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, your vote is the most important one of all…unless you don’t use it!

Eulus Dennis – author, Operation Rubik’s Cube and Living Between The Line