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Election 2012: As November ballots take shape, it’s time to prepare

The path to Election Day 2012 is nearing the homestretch. In less than nine weeks most voters will head to the polling place to cast their ballots on a variety of races and issues – others will vote before Nov. 6.

Already, 44 states have held primary elections as they reduce the field for the presidential election ballot. On Thursday, Sept. 6, Massachusetts will be the next state on the list to let voters cast primary ballots.

The following week voters in Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and New York will wrap up the primary cycle. The cycle is coming to a close more than five months after it began with Alabama and Mississippi voters choosing who they want to see on their fall ballots.

With candidates in each state almost set and ballot issues being finalized, it is time for truckers and other voters to take steps to make sure their voice will be heard this November.

Casting a ballot is a pretty simple process. All states allow advance voting. It is an ideal setup for over-the-road drivers. Some states allow mail-in ballots, commonly referred to as absentee ballots. Other states allow voting in person at locations leading up to Election Day. This is known as early voting. Elsewhere, some states conduct elections by mail. Your local elections office or secretary of state’s office should have details.

Registration deadlines vary from state to state with some registration periods ending a month prior to Election Day. If unregistered voters want to make sure they have a say in the outcomes of issues and races this year, there is still time to register, but you need to act quickly.

To encourage truckers to get involved in the process, OOIDA is once again focused on providing truckers with information on how to register in all 50 states and on early voting and absentee ballots – where available.

Visit TruckVote.com for more information. Those truckers who do not have Web access – or those who have questions or need assistance – can call the OOIDA Membership Department at 800-444-5791, Ext. 4906.

For more 2012 election coverage from Land Line, click here.

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