We looked at the somewhat bleary Writer’s Section this morning and gave up on attempting to do anything humorous about the coming weeks. It is Monday, at the moment, and appropriate to stay focused and outline some tips for Virginia voters in the election tomorrow. It is appropriate, since it has an outsized significance in this turbulent year: it will be watched with unusual national interest to determine the mood of the public about how things are going.
For those who have not been paying attention, the polls here have been open since early September to accommodate those voters like Splash, Loma and me who have some service-related disabilities. There is more chaos impending, since the reported 300,000 voters who were waiting to this weekend in Fairfax for the absentee ballots the Postal Service says they cannot deliver in time. I am sure we will be talking about that after Election Day is in the rear view.
Need to participate? Many people, including all of the Writer’s Section at Socotra House have already taken advantage of mail-in and early in-person voting options. You can vote traditionally, with a photo ID, of course, on what we know here as “Election Day.” That is tomorrow, November 2nd. There was plenty of opportunity to vote, though, since “Election Day” started nearly two months ago.
For last minute planning, all mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 2. Ballots may also be returned by hand to the local registrar’s office or your polling place by 7 p.m. on Election Day tomorrow.
In traditional times, that would mean resolution by midnight. But like you, we are uncertain how that works in this Covid ravaged country. It will be interesting to see how this will work after the maelstrom of controversy regarding the 2020 national elections.
Today also marks the beginning of the UN Climate Conference, the COP26, in Glasgow Scotland. Our President is there with nine Cabinet Secretaries, a reported 800 support personnel and the 85 vehicle convoy he utilized while visiting the Vatican last weekend. Considering the surrounding events, the G20 in Rome, the COP26 and the New Jersey and Virginia elections, there is more fun to come.
Fairfax County, old home to our former Pentagon contingent, has already announced they will not require the “last four” numbers of voter Social Security numbers to identify who cast their ballots by mail. The officials there also have disclosed their intent to take their time in counting them up, possibly getting to it by Friday after everyone else in Virginia has reported their results.
Meanwhile, intense negotiations on the climate situation will continue for almost two weeks in Glasgow. The organizers say they will finalize the provisions of the 2015 Paris Accords regarding emissions reductions. What that actually means, as is seemingly true about everything in November, has not yet been disclosed in detail.
What has been stated is that we are supposed to reduce CO2, methane and other assorted emissions by half in eight years. We are fairly confident that if we were asked, we might ask for a little time to determine if unilateral public acceptance of an agreement never submitted to the Senate for ratification makes rational sense.
Based on current events, we assume we will be told that “saving the planet” is necessary. We generally agree with that. Still, it seems a bit abrupt to just accept “The Science” as explained by the unelected bureaucrats at the UN and do what we are told.
That may have some unexpected implications, but we are confident whoever they tell us won the election will clear it all up. As a group, we are equally sure we have already participated and done our civic duty. Plus, a quick check of County regulations indicates legal distilleries will remain open tomorrow for your convenience. There is no indication if they will be permitted to continue after COP26 is over, but we remain optimistic.
In the meantime, if you have not voted, do so tomorrow. Show some spirit- and Let the games begin!
Copyright 2021 Vic Socotra
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