Your last chance to vote is today and tomorrow so get your ballots in the mail and make your voice heard. Even if you’ve been burnt by national elections in the past, voting on the state and county levels is crucial to making a real impact.

For those of you following The Melon, we’ve done a lot of work in Pierce County writing and interviewing for the election. You can find all of our great interviews with candidates and advocates as well as links to articles in our:

2009 Election Headquarters

Here are some direct links to articles:

• -Eight Years Is Enough – Reject Amendment 1 by New Takhoman
• -My Positions 2009 by Chris Van Vechten
• -Interview with Paul Jacob, Krist Novoselic and Kelly Haughton on RCV and Reject All Three
• -Interviews with all Pierce County Candidates (excluding the Port)

New Melon gear from the desk of RR Anderson! Now you too can be a part of the Initiative process by wearing a Tim Eyman commemorative t-shirt. For sale at The Melon Store!

In the wake of I-985’s failure this November, The Melon decided to check back in with Washington State tax-rebel, Tim Eyman. In our discussion, Chris “The Wedge” Van Vechten wrestles over I-985, Eyman’s philosophy, future battles, and delves deeper into the mind’s Ey…man. Plus, don’t miss Chris’ attempt to convert Tim Eyman to the liberal side. Can Darth Eyman use the force for good? Find out in our exclusive interview, only on The Melon (and whoever embeds our video.)

Note: I-985 did not end up winning in Pierce County.

WHY I VOTE.

Voting.  We’re taught to view it as our civic duty, one of only three remaining “sacrifices” this country actually asks of its citizens (the first of the other two being to pay your taxes, which – I’m ashamed to say – a sizable percentage of this country cheats, and the second being to register for the selective service upon reaching age 18 – a sacrifice from which an entire sex is exempt.) So given how little modern American actually asks of us, it’s not surprising that the majority of us view voting as something like a chore.  In many ways I’m no different.  From age five onward, I was reminded every November that voting is just one of those things responsible people do; like saving 10% of every paycheck or never having sex without a condom.

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