Did you mark it on your calendar? The Virginia Presidential Primary Election is on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. For those of you who live in Virginia, I beseech you to take advantage of your right to vote. This is a privilege that is easily taken for granted…an event that so many people in many other countries are not able to participate in. Act on it!

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia’s Presidential Primaries: A Voter’s Guide
(Information courtesy of http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/)

1. When will Virginia’s presidential primaries be held?
Virginia’s presidential primaries will be held Tuesday, February 12th. Polls will open at 6:00 a.m. and will close at 7:00 p.m. If you are already in line to vote at 7:00 p.m. you will still be allowed to vote.

2. Do I need to re-register in order to vote in Virginia’s presidential primaries to be held on Tuesday, February 12th?
No. If you are already a registered voter in the Commonwealth of Virginia you may vote in the presidential primaries to be held Tuesday, February 12, 2008.
If you are a registered voter in another state, not registered to vote in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you may not vote in Virginia’s presidential primaries.
If you are uncertain of your voter registration status go to the Virginia State Board of Elections home page at www.sbe.virginia.gov and click on Voter Information.

3. Do I need to register with a party in order to vote in the presidential primaries to be held Tuesday, February 12th?
No. The Commonwealth of Virginia does not require you to register by party affiliation when registering to vote. Virginia holds open primaries. This means that you may vote in either the Democratic Primary or the Republican Primary, but not both.
When you go to the polls on Election Day, if qualified to vote, you will be asked if you want the Democratic ballot or the Republican ballot. You will then be given the ballot you requested.

4. Where do I go to vote?
You vote in your normal polling place. If your normal polling place is in a school, please remember that school will still be in session on Tuesday, February 12th. Therefore, please allow extra time for parking and be alert for school children.
If you do not know your polling place go to the State Board of Elections home page at www.sbe.virginia.gov and click on Voter Information.

5. Who may vote in Virginia’s presidential primaries to be held on Tuesday, February 12th?
All registered voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia who will be 18 or older by the November presidential election.

6. What type of ID will I be required to have in order to vote in Virginia’s presidential primaries?
When you go to the polls you will be asked to present identification. Federal law requires certain voters voting in their first federal election to present any one of the following acceptable forms of ID:
a current and valid photo identification
or
One of the documents listed below that shows your name and address:
- a current utility bill
- bank statement
- government check or paycheck or
- another government document
All other voters must present one of the following acceptable forms of ID:
- Virginia voter registration card
- Valid Virginia driver’s license
- Military ID
- Any federal, state or local government issued ID
- Employer issued photo ID card
- Social Security card

7. If I don’t have a valid form of ID on Election Day will I still be able to vote?
Yes. If you forget to bring acceptable ID to the polls you may still vote. Most voters without ID will be requested to sign, under oath, an Affirmation of Identity form affirming your identity. If you require assistance to vote by reason of physical disability or an inability to read or write you may request assistance in completing this statement. If you are voting for the first time in a federal election and and do not show ID, you may be required to vote what is called a provisional ballot. This paper ballot will be counted once it is confirmed you are a registered voter in Virginia and did not cast another ballot.
For more information about Virginia voter identification requirements see: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/voterID

8. Will there be voting equipment accessible for the disabled?
Yes. In accordance with state law and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), every polling location in Virginia will be equipped with at least one accessible voting system to allow voters with a disability to vote in the same private and independent manner as a voter without a disability.

For more general information, click on Voter Information on the
Virginia State Board of Elections home page.
www.sbe.virginia.gov

Well spoken and honest, Mike Huckabee on the “What would Jesus do?” question:
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I’ve come across a few posts that really get my mind thinking, hold me accountable, and are encouraging. I thought I’d pass them along to you
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Thanks to Jess for sharing this on her blog.

A few snippets from Randy Alcorn’s post: Sacrificing Children on a Republican Altar?

“…evangelical spokesperson (Pat Robertson) -though I’m not sure who Robertson really represents anymore-would turn his back on unborn children to endorse Giuliani, who favors legalized abortion, is tragic.”

“If, like many, you get upset about the fact that people would post (abortion) pictures or that I would link to them, I suggest you reserve your outrage for those who defend the right to commit such atrocities against children. It is not the photos that are immoral-it is abortion that is immoral. The photos only tell the truth most of us don’t want to see. It is the height of hypocrisy to support a candidate who defends legalized abortion, while getting mad at people who show the truth about abortion because the truth is so horrible.”

“…the one with the best chance of winning, I think, is Mike Huckabee. But regardless of what we think about his chances, why would we not choose someone who we have reason to believe will live by God-honoring principles and stand for the unborn and marriage and family and religious freedom whether in victory or defeat?”

“You have no control over who in the end votes for Hillary Clinton. You do have control over who you vote for. You won’t be held accountable for someone else voting for a pro-abortion candidate. You will be held accountable if you vote for such a candidate. “But he was a Republican, Lord,” you may say at the judgment seat. “But I’m not a Republican,” Jesus may say. “I’m the original Independent.”"

It’s a long post, but it’s worth your time to read!

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A few snippet’s from Josh Malone’s , The Church at the County Fair

“One thing I noticed while walking through…is that there are a variety of booths promoting a variety of organizations and ideas.”

“…in a Southern county the fair represents a place where almost everyone’s lives intersect…It is in these places the church must make an impact and influence people’s lives with the Gospel.”"

“The chain smoking, truck driving, gun toting, Hank Williams Jr. worshipping, country boy is more likely to listen to the gospel coming from the guy that he shared a laugh or a good time with.”

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A few snippet’s from Mrs. H’s, The Danger of Self-Pity

“As Christian women, wives, and mothers, we are called to imitate the Standard to which all of society is held, and society is teaching us to be increasingly unhappy and dissatisfied with what we have.”

“…we all have bad days, where it seems that nothing goes right, but it’s how we react to those days that our children see and imitate.”

“Having several small children underfoot can be a challenge and is most definitely a source of exhaustion for the mother. However, we must guard our hearts against the thought that our children are a burden, or are constantly causing us more work. The Lord gave us these children because He trusted us to raise them in a godly home for His glory.”

It’s been a while since I posted anything political but after taking a quiz I found on Mandi’s site, I thought it was about time. I learned about Mike Huckabee on Jess’s site a while back and have been a supporter ever since. You can read more about this Pro-Life Christian Conservative Republican who is a member of the NRA, supports homeschooling, and aims to secure America’s border from illegal immigration here.

1 Timothy 2:1-2
     “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”