Jason Says Vote - Republicans Say Don't!

And now, a satirical message from @theyoungturks

Jason Says Vote, Everywhere Else!

Jason's Bottom Line:

When it comes to the 2014 midterms, we can't have a single person sit on the side lines. Our generation cannot afford another 2 years of Republican failure. From the top (Senators and Governors) to the bottom (State Representatives, State Senators, Mayors, and Local Officials), we need to turn out and elect common-sense Democrats to move our country forward. As I didn't have time to detail every race - I wanted to give you a few resources in case you haven't made up your mind yet (or are considering voting for a Republican). 

How to Vote

Are you registered?

• www.canivote.org is a nice service that will connect you to your state's voter registration service. It can be a little slow - so be patient.
• www.longdistrancevoter.org is another service that will let you check your registration status if the first site is taking too long, but this one requires an email address. You can also access this service by typing "How to vote" in the Google.

Do you need an ID?

• www.longdistrancevoter.org also includes a tab with the voter ID requirements in each state. 
• www.ncsl.org also has a handy map to view voter ID laws in effect in each state.

When do polls close?

• www.huffingtonpost.com did a good rundown of poll closing times. Of note - all times are Eastern and the *'s mean that the state spans more than one time-zone.  
• www.usatoday.com did a graphic representation of the closing times - if that's your thing. 

Where is your polling place/ballot return?

• Forget the one below - this one is more fun - yourfuckingpollingplace.com
• pollingplaces.democrats.org did a great job of helping you find your polling location! It's as easy as entering your registration address!

What to do if you have trouble voting? (i.e. harassment, say you aren't registered, or you are in line when the polls close?)

• Harassment or other voting problems: Call the Voter Protection Hotline at 1-844-360-VOTE (8683) - they are there to help ensure that your vote is counted.
• The poll worker says that you aren't registered or that you already voted (but you haven't): fill out a provisional ballot (federally required after the 2000 Presidential election - remember "hanging chads?"). You will need to follow-up and prove that you are registered to vote - the deadline for doing so is typically 3-7 days after the election. If you are forced to use a provisional ballot - contact the Voter Protection Hotline for more information.
• In line when the polls close: STAY IN LINE! Wait, maybe you didn't get that....STAY IN LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are guaranteed the right to vote if you are in line prior to the poll closing time. If you leave the line, for any reason, you will not be able to vote. So, if you see a long line, pee before you get into it!

Who to Vote For

When in doubt, follow President Truman's advice, "If you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic." 

Find out where to find more candidate information below the fold...

Jason Says Vote, Michigan!

Candidates: 

• Congressman Gary Peters (D): U.S. Representative (2009-present), Commissioner, MI State Lottery, MI State Senator (1994-2002), Rochester Hills, MI Councilman (1991-1994) Senate campaign site. 
• Fmr. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R): Former Michigan Sec. State (2003-2010). Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This is an election for the open Senate seat being vacated by Senator Carl Levin. Peters is the favorite - and has been polling strong. I'm not going to delve into an in depth analysis here - I just want to make sure that my Michigan friends get out there and vote!!
• Gary Peters is a long-time Michigan Congressman - proving himself adept at working with both parties to find commonsense solutions to even the most difficult problems. 
• Terri Lynn Land is a far-right candidate who is absolutely wrong for Michigan families. She is anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, would have voted to keep the government shuttered because the Republican-forced cuts weren't devastating enough, opposed the auto-bailout that saved Detroit, and is generally of the opinion that the federal government has no role in our daily lives (except your uterus and my bedroom...)

Jason Says Vote, Kansas!

Candidates: 

• Senator Pat Roberts (R): U.S. Senate (1996-present). Prior to that he was a U.S. Representative (1980-1996) Senate campaign site. 
• Greg Orman (I): Founder, Environmental Lighting Concepts (1992-present) and Co-Founder, Denali Partners, LLC (2004-present). Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• Senator Roberts brought this challenge on himself. From failing to manage the optics around his residency to a lackluster campaign - the only reason that Greg Orman has a shot, is because Roberts wasn't giving the campaign any serious effort. The Democratic candidate dropped out of the race to give Orman a real shot at knocking Roberts out this cycle. It's a long-shot, but Roberts isn't making any friends these days. 
• This is going to be a quick report - not delving into the issues - but giving you a flavor.
• Pat Roberts is has been continuously representing Kansas in the Federal Government since 1980 (that's 34 years folks). He is a social conservative - opposing abortion, gay marriage, the ACA, and most federal oversight. 
• Greg Orman is an "independent" business man who was running a self-funded campaign against Roberts. He was elevated to national importance when the Kansas Democratic Party convinced their candidate to drop out - making it a head to head match-up between Orman and Roberts. Orman hasn't taken a lot of policy positions - rather focusing on fixing the gridlock in Washington. However, we do know that he is pro-choice, anti-tax increases, pro-reasonable gun-control and opposed to repealing the ACA (but wants to fix unintended consequences).

Jason Says Vote, Louisiana!

Candidates: 

• Senator Mary Landrieu (D): U.S. Senator (1997-present), LA Treasurer (1987-1995), State Representative (1979-1987) Senate campaign site. 
• Congressman Bill Cassidy (R): U.S. Representative (2008-present), State Senator (2006-2008) Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This is another tough southern race for Democrats. Ever since Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana has been drifting to the right. Large portions of liberal-residents from New Orleans failed to return after the storm. As a result, the state that had consistently elected Democrats to state-wide offices has been reticent to do so in the recent past. This is also a slightly tricky race because the November 4th election isn't the final say if no candidate tops 50% of the vote. In that case, there will be a run-off election on December 6, 2014.  
• Mary Landrieu is a down-home girl. Her dad, Moon Landrieu, was the New Orleans mayor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Carter. Mary's brother, Mitch, is the current Mayor of New Orleans. Landrieu is one of the most conservative Democrats in the U.S. Senate. 
• Bill Cassidy is the most likely victor on the Republican side of the ticket on November 4th. He's rated as an average Republican - meaning that he votes with the Republican party the majority of the time.

Jason Says Vote, North Carolina!

Candidates: 

• Senator Kay Hagan (D): First elected to the Senate - 2008. Prior to that, she was a member of the NC State Senate (1999-2009). Senate campaign site. 
• NC House Speaker Thom Tillis: Speaker of the State House (2011-present), NC State Representative (2006-present) Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• Kay Hagan is a pragmatic, thoughtful, and thoroughly North Carolina Senator. She is one of the hardest working Members of the Senate, and is running against one of the most partisan Republican challengers this cycle. Speaker Tillis has managed to turn the North Carolina State House into a partisan mess. Under his leadership, the State House passed anti-worker legislation, draconian anti-abortion bills, and even instituted un-democratic voting restrictions. 
• Kay Hagan is a strong advocate for the poor and middle-class. She has fought hard to increase education funding and access to health care for North Carolinians. She is not easily replaced. 
• Tom Tillis is a partisan to the core. His anti-education budgets have become a huge talking point in the state, and a tool to show how extreme he really is.

Jason Says Vote, New Hampshire!

Candidates: 

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D): First elected to the Senate in 2009. Prior to that, NH Governor (1997-2003), NH State Senator (1990-1996) Senate campaign site. 
• Fmr. U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R): U.S. Senator from MA (2010-2012), MA State Senator (2004-2010), MA State Representative (1998-2004). Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• Scott Brown, fresh off of his loss to Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts in 2012, moved to New Hampshire to run against Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Brown can't seem to shake the carpetbagger label, but if this turns out to be a low-turnout election, Shaheen may just lose her seat. 
• Jeanne Shaheen is a significant force in New Hampshire politics. She's continuously represented the Granite State in the state or federal government since 1990. But, NH has an independent streak, and the President is not very popular there. He is acting as a drag on Senator Shaheen's approval ratings. This race has another significance - as NH is currently the only state to ever have an entirely female Federal Delegation. If Shaheen falls to Brown - that won't be the case. 
• Scott Brown moved to New Hampshire in search of a friendlier political environment - but has continuously been dogged by the carpetbagger label. He's counting on low-turnout and high disgust at the President to pull him across the finish line.