MomsRising: Make voting a family tradition

I love the idea of having family traditions. With my toddler son, I am still working on what our family traditions will look like, but I know of one I hope to make stick – voting is a family affair. He has already been with me twice as I voted (three times if you count in utero), and we have a tradition of taking a silly picture of him with the “I voted!” sticker stuck on his nose, forehead, cheek, shirt, or anywhere he will keep it on long enough to snap a picture.

As parents, our schedules can be so chaotic that getting to the polls can seem like a daunting task. That’s why I am so thankful for the option to vote early in North Carolina. Early voting gives parents the option to vote before Election Day, avoiding long lines and other things that can come up out of nowhere and keep us from voting (rain, fussy children, sickness). Early voting offers parents times on the weekends as well, which makes for a great opportunity to make voting a family outing.

Maybe your family has a voting tradition but, if not, it’s never too late to start a new tradition! Early voting is open across North Carolina from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 5.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started with your own tradition:

Before we parade to the voting location, children will have a chance to make their own instruments, voting banners, and flags, and decorate their wagons or strollers. Then we will parade through downtown to the early voting location at 706 W. Corporation St. where parents registered in Durham can cast their vote. The event is nonpartisan.

Like so many thing in life, kids will do what they see their parents do. Let’s take our kids to vote and show them it’s something worth celebrating!