I got my ballot in the mail!  Join me on a fun-filled action-packed journey called Ballot Voyage: An Approve Referendum 71 ballot odyssey.  

But first…this humorous cautionary tale!

And now our story beings…

Chapter 1, in which a ballot is received, marked, and mailed.

It all started with a late-nite visit to my mailbox.  Behold, my ballot arriveth!  Heeding the sage advice of Joe “Rip” van Winkle, I immediately set about the honor and duty of voting APPROVED on Referendum 71.

	Following the directions right on the ballot, and using my very best check writing pen, I neatly filled in the little oval next to the word “APPROVED” on the Referendum 71 ballot question.
	After marking my other votes, I was ready to send in my ballot.  The instructions on the ballot said to put the ballot in the security envelope.  First I removed that little perforated strip from the top of the ballot, as it said to do.
	Watch my ballot going into the security envelope.  Woo hoo!
	Then the security envelope goes into the mailing envelope.
	Before sealing the big security flap on the mailing envelope, I made sure to sign my name.  My ballot won’t be counted without this signature.
	Lick it & stick it.
	Affixing first class postage, which I think is 44 cents these days, but I put on 45 cents because those were the stamps I had.  Pierce Co. ballots are heavier than average and require 61 cents of postage.  If you don’t have a stamp or don’t want to trust your ballot to the US mail, check the flier that came with your ballot for the location of an official ballot drop box near you.
	And now to the mail box.  Oh.  It’s raining.  Do I care?  No!
	I love the spicy scent of fallen leaves and the soothing sound of tricking water!
	Now you see it…
	Now you don’t!

Stay tuned for Chapter 2, in which I use the King County Mail Ballot Tracking system to ensure my ballot was received and my vote counted!  (technical details here)  Sorry, this service may not be available in other counties…

Today’s adventure took me about 10 minutes.  Tomorrow I go door-to-door canvassing to help remind others to vote APPROVED on Referendum 71 to preserve the domestic partnership law and protect ALL Washington families.