There are a lot of, lets say, not-so-smart people who vote during every election. There are also very educated people who heavily weigh the positives and negatives of each candidate; carefully considering the choices. There is another class of person though, like myself, who simply chooses not to vote. I am not particularly brainy, or dumb for that matter either; but when it comes to voting I am probably not the one you want in that little booth. If you read further on you might begin to see why.

So I recently took and passed my motorcycle license exam. While standing excitedly in front of the person who was about to give me my shiny new license, I was taken back with a question I'd never heard before. "Would you like to register to boat?" Hmmm, how did this person at the DMV know that I also recently took up wakeboarding and boating with friends on the lake? Who cares, its probably a coincidence or maybe they ask everyone who gets a motorcycle license this question. I promptly agree with a simple head nod and mutter "sure, wait... how much does it cost?". "Its free" she says smiling, "Why not" I reply.

I had already forgot about the first question when she asks me the second, "would you like to register for an absentee ballot?". What the heck does this have to do with boating, let alone my motorcycle license? Is this woman getting commission here or something? Quickly and possibly a little rudely I shake my head and state matter of fact "No, I don't vote". It hit me quick and hard. The last word of that sentence probably sounded something more like "vot-ohhhh..." as I realize what a complete idiot I am. She never said register to "boat", it was "vote" all along and I'm an idiot.

Too embarrassed to retract my registration I told her that absentee would not be necessary. I quickly sign all the dotted lines and head for the door - positive that I would be the laughing stock of the entire DMV. I could practically see the state-wide email "this guy thought I said register to boat ROFL!!!" At least they don't have my picture...crap.

And this is how I became a registered boater...err...voter.

Chansen