My name is Javier Ogaz.
All I know is that I know nothing.

• 

  I’m registered to vote by mail. Where I live ballots were sent out last week. It’s truly a wonder that such a bland yellow envelope can make me this excited.

  After dinner, I sit down at my desk and, with a sense of duty, begin to look over my ballot. There’s a certain election that demands the most focus, but every referendum and office are worth some dramatic stokes of ink. Each seems more defiant than the last. Afterwards, I feel somewhat conflicted, but it’s not because my convictions waver. I wonder what catharsis I’m giving up by not going down to the voting booth on election day and pulling the lever. I’m certainly not getting that little sticker.

  No matter where you live, if you’re of the right age, I hope you’re registered to vote and I hope you take the time to vote this year. I know we’ve been told it’s the end of the world. Don’t worry: it’s not. 

  But it is important that we all participate because really, in the end, all we’re doing is working together. 

  25 Oct 2012