Super Tuesday: This Newbie Votes!

In the United States today we have something called, “Super Tuesday”.  Now I must tell you that I find the election process here extremely complicated, exciting, and important all at the same time.

I will be voting in my first federal election today as a US Citizen!  Today the states of Illinois (my state), Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio vote in what is known as the, “Primary” election.  The reason for “Super Tuesday” is that more than one state is voting today.  Other Primary elections will be held with only one state voting at a time.

For those of you who are in the US and have experience with voting in US elections, my haphazard way of understanding even a bit of the process will no doubt make you grin; however, for those of us ‘newbies’ or living outside the US, it is a rather daunting and intimidating process.

The Primary election, as I understand it, is to vote for the person you would like to represent either the Republican or the Democratic Party in the November election for the US Presidency.  This is the most simplistic way I can explain it, as from here things get very complicated!  I won’t even attempt to go into the political process, only that I am looking forward to voting for the person I think will represent the party I have I chosen to vote for (yes, first you pick the party you most align with, and then once you have decided between either Republican or Democrat, now you think about the person who should lead that party onto the political stage for voting in the Presidential Election in November)!

Are you wishing I hadn’t even started on my feeble attempt to explain even a bit of this?  I understand (or rather, I don’t but you know what I mean; or do you?) *sigh* Let’s switch gears.  Here’s a lovely picture of a cat:

The political system with its delegates, Electoral College, Popular Vote, et al. does lend itself to confusion extraordinaire.  Remember earlier I mentioned the system is very complex?  I had someone try to explain what happens from ‘here’ after all states have voted in the Primary Election but I am afraid my reaction was similar to this:

Despite the complex nature of the political process, I understand who I am going to vote for and why.  I have watched every single debate on tv (for both parties), so I at least feel armed to vote responsibly.  I do feel it is vital for every citizen to vote; it is important to be included in the way government is shaped and formed.

Please wish me luck at the voting booth today!