Vote 'Em If You Got 'Em: Links For Your Election Day!

Well, the attack ads are over, the convention floors have long been empty, and the event we've all been anticipating/dreading for what feels like our entire lives is finally upon us: It's Election Day!

To get you ready for your big day at the polls, we've put together some links on elections past, resources for voting in the presence, and info for the not-so-distant future. Now get out there and vote already!

Back to the Future

Considering the barrage of information we've been under lo these many months, it's easy to forget why we vote in the first place. Here's some historical context to help with your election fatigue.

• The Suffrage Movement wasn't all fun and games (it actually wasn't fun and games at all—I just wanted an excuse to link to that suffrage rap video). Some women in the early 19th century were jailed, tortured, and silenced at every turn in their efforts to obtain the right to vote. [YouTube, Ms.]
• I say "some women" because we can't forget that the suffrage movement didn't include women of color. (Not like today's political machine is still racist or anything. It is.) [The Root, The Atlantic]
• Before someecards and Tumblr, those working against women who wanted to vote had offensively hilarious and sadly familiar postcards. Infantilizing women and using fear tactics to keep them away from the polls? Nah, that never happens. [Collector's Weekly]
• (Some) women here in Oregon got the vote exactly 100 years ago this week. Check out some photos and video from the suffrage parade and remember that it's your duty to get out there and vote! [Century of Action, League of Women Voters]
• The history of voting itself in this country is BANANAS. Did you know the word ballot comes from the Italian word for ball because people literally used to vote with balls? Insert balls joke here (but then read about voting history because it is really interesting). [The New Yorker]

Poll Vault

You may have voted already (good for you, citizen!), but if not, here are some links to help you do just that.

• This pre-election checklist will get you ready for the polls. [Ms.]
• Find out where you can vote and what you should bring. [Can I Vote?]
• If that link's a little too polite for you, you can also find your fucking polling place. [Find Your Fucking Polling Place]
• If you want a star from Law & Order: SVU to help you get to the polls, B.D. Wong is on that. [GottaVote]
• If you aren't sure what your voting rights are, the ACLU has some information for you. [ACLU]
• Voting While Trans also has some information for you. [Voting While Trans]
• People have already had awful experiences voting in this election. If that happens to you or someone you know, report it right away. [The Atlantic, Election Protection]
• You can also tweet or Instagram your voting troubles with the hashtag #TroubleVoting. [The Daily Beast]
• Waiting in line and want to feel less alone? Here's a slide show of voting lines in Florida and Ohio. [Think Progress]
• People waiting in long lines to vote need fuel for their democratic fires. Fuel in the form of pizza. Help feed the lines in your neighborhood! [Daily Kos]
• Remember to look out for others when you vote. [Tiger Beatdown]

Remember: It's Important!

• Here are some reasons why voting in this election is critical for people of color communities. [Colorlines]
• Here are some reasons why voting in this election is critical for women. [New York magazine, ERA Education Project]
• Here are some more reasons (in video form!) voting in this election is critical for women. [Melissa Harris-Perry via The Nation]
• Here are some more reasons (in infographic form!) why voting in this election is critical for women. [Mother Jones]
• If your area was hit by Hurricane Sandy, here are some reasons why voting in this election is critical for you. [Salon]
• Voting in a federal election might feel meaningless, but it isn't really and you should do it anyway. [Lesley Kinzel, xoJane]

For Your Infotainment

Some links to check out as Election Day drags on. You know you won't be able to focus on work anyway.

• Play election boss with this interactive 512 Paths to the White House feature. [New York Times]
• Here is a handy guide to election guides for when results start coming in. [NPR]
• Follow Colorlines Voting Rights Watch for updates on attempts to limit the electoral power of people of color, and read accounts from community journalists. [Colorlines]
• Feministing has an academic feminist election forum for the brainiac in you. [Feministing]
• Remember: Women vote with our hormones. We just can't help it. Periods! [Slate]
• You know people are going to be spewing bullshit all day long. Call them on it and get the facts. [FactCheck.org]
• Speaking of bullshit... Want your candidate to finally say what you've been hoping he'd say? Tweet and make him talk for you. Well, it's a picture of him with a robotic voice, but STILL. [The Last Debate]
• Was that post you saw with the picture of Godzilla attacking the polling booths a little too good to be true? Remember to think (and verify) before you share election news. [Poynter]
• What do you do when people you know or love vote against your equality? Gal Pals: When People You Love Vote Against You hashes it out. [After Ellen]
• When it's all over, track who predicted the right outcome and who was full of it. [VoteSeeing]

Have you read or written anything that might help your fellow feminists make it through Election Day 2012? Share it in the comments and GET OUT THAT VOTE!