A day of civic obligation

Once again, I find myself agreeing with this liberal former mayor of the city where I live. In "Let’s vote in person on Election Day," Dave Cieslewicz makes a case I've also argued:

I’ve never liked early voting for several reasons.

The first reason is that it serves to reinforce our current polarization. The unspoken assumption behind early voting is that you’ve already made up your mind and nothing that happens in the closing weeks of a campaign will matter. Turns out that Donald Trump really did gun down an innocent man in the middle of Fifth Avenue? Doesn’t matter. I’m for Trump. Besides, the guy probably had it coming. When you vote early, you’re saying that there’s nothing a candidate can do or say, no policy idea, nothing in their background that comes to light, that will change your mind. That candidate’s color is red or blue, and that’s all that matters. It used to be popular for voters to say that they voted for the candidate and not the party. I never hear that anymore. I want to hear it again. ....

I see voting as a civic sacrament. And, fitting its importance, Election Day should be what Catholics call a holy day of obligation. It should be a special day. It should require a little effort. It is an experience you should share with your neighbors. By making it easy, we’ve also cheapened it. ....

I realize that I’m shouting into the wind here. I don’t see early voting going away. Like red and blue teams and all manner of tribalism, it has become too well established now. And that’s a shame because we need more civic sacraments. (more)

I consistently and intentionally vote on Election Day.

Dave Cieslewicz, "Let’s vote in person on Election Day," Isthmus, Jan. 16, 2026.