Steve Martaindale

It is 29 days until the next U.S. congressional midterm election. Various reasons have kept me from posting the last few days; please accept my apologies.

You must vote in the general election just four weeks from tomorrow to do your part to help put the brakes on the dictatorial dream of Donald Trump, but you must first register.

And you need to do that NOW.

Consider the image at right as a reminder but double-check the date in your state. I say that because I know Texas’ deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 9. Maybe it differs from the chart because the seventh is a Sunday and today is Columbus Day.

Seriously, though, don’t ponder the chart too long, just visit the site linked here to make sure you’re registered. (I just checked mine again to make sure I haven’t been removed for some reason.) It will direct you to your state’s site to check your registration and, if necessary, to register.

Easy-peasy.

You’ll notice on the chart that a growing number of states allow registration up to and including the date of the election. If you’re in one of those states … don’t relax. Go ahead and register now just in case there is a problem.

For the same reason, please vote early if it’s allowed in your state. Or vote absentee. Yes, they will mail a ballot to you (conditions may vary). During the mid-term elections of 2006, I was working in Antarctica and cast my ballot from the frozen continent … that was actually pretty cool.

Register. Vote early. Take a friend. And vote Blue.