Voting: How to look like you know what you’re doing even though it’s your first time

Five things to know when you vote Tuesday

1. You must vote at your designated polling location. Look it up here.

2. If you a registered Unaffiliated (Independent), you can still vote in the primary. You get to choose either the Republican or Democratic primary, but you can’t vote in both.

3. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. That means you can go before or after work (9-5 and shift workers included).

4. It should take 15 minutes, including parking, walking in, and voting. There’s not much else you can do that quickly, other than get car insurance (supposedly). You don’t need an ID this year.

5. It matters. Seriously.

How to look like you’re a pro

1. Walk past all the people with flyers and say, “I already know who I am voting for, thanks.” But be nice to them – they are mostly volunteers, even the people inside.

2. 1-4-1 = one mayor, four city council at large, one city council district. You might have less on your ballot, depending on where you live – basically, this is going to be really quick.

3. Ask for your “I Voted” sticker.

Who should you vote for?

That’s a great question. We’re not endorsing, but we do have some helpful hints.

If you like popularity

Measured by Twitter followers:

Mayor

Jennifer Roberts (3,720)

Scott Stone (2,579)

City Council at Large

Bruce Clark (1,023)

Vi Lyles (809)

James Mitchell (135)

Julie Eiselt (127)

City Council Districts

Al Austin (298)

LaWana Mayfield (1,517)

John Autry (977)

If the number of endorsements* is important to you:

Mayor

Dan Clodfelter – 3 endorsements

David Howard – 3 endorsements

Edwin Peacock – 2 endorsements

City Council at Large

Vi Lyles – 7 endorsements

Billy Maddalon – 7 endorsements

Julie Eiselt – 5 endorsements

James Mitchell – 4 endorsements

City Council Districts

Al Austin – 6 endorsements

LaWana Mayfield – 6 endorsements

John Autry – 6 endorsements

If who did the endorsing is important to you:

*candidates that did not receive any endorsements are not included

Still looking for more? Here’s 1-2 thoughts about each candidate for mayor and City Council at large.

Mayors

Michael Barnes: If fiscally conservative, smart growth is important to you.

Dan Clodfelter: If you value steady, consistent, and smart leadership.

Roderick Davis: If you want your mayor to rock bowties; if elected, he would be the first openly gay mayor of Charlotte.

David Howard: If you want Charlotte to be a global city.

DeJawon Joseph: If you believe in ghosts – this guy has yet to be seen or heard from.

Jennifer Roberts: If you want a full-time spokesperson and cheerleader for Charlotte; she’s also the only woman in this race.

Edwin Peacock: If you want someone who will be able to work with the other party; he gets cool points for the half-pipe in his backyard.

Scott Stone: If you value a business background and want a complete outsider – he’s the only serious candidate who has not held public office before.

City Council At Large

Laurence Bibbs: If you want a political outsider with a fresh perspective who will focus on jobs and housing.

Darrell Bonapart: If you respect persistence (this is his fifth run) and genuine desire to serve – top issues include homelessness, transportation, and economic development.

Bruce Clark: If you’re not from Charlotte and don’t care who is a native Charlottean or not. You like it here, you made it your home, and you want a progressive, innovative champion on council.

Julie Eiselt: If you want someone who can turn lemons into lemonade, or in this case turn a mugging/kidnapping into diverse coalition of public safety advocates that influence policy, procedure, and hiring.

Claire Green Fallon: If you appreciate someone who doesn’t always follow party lines and asks questions that no one else wants to ask.

Sean Gautam: If you want someone who will push for better community engagement by the council and advocate for the City Council to work together to benefit the community as a whole.

Shawn Greeson: If you don’t think City Council should be paid – he plans to donate his stipend to charity; also a passionate environmentalist and someone who is willing to ask tough questions and push for progressive policy.

Mo Idlibby: If you want an energetic lawyer who will advocate for immigrants and LGBT rights.

Vi Lyles: If you value experience and collaborative disposition; she worked for the city, has a long history of community service / leadership, and regularly facilitates compromise and collaboration.

Billy Maddalon: If you want someone with small business experience, who is an adoptive and fosterparent; running to be a voice for LGBT rights and to fight entrenched poverty.

James Mitchell: If you want someone who likes helping people – that’s what he misses the most after losing in the last mayoral primary; he wants to work on creating sustainable neighborhoods (think sidewalks and public safety).

Aaron Sanders: If you want someone who loves the street car – his priorities include finishing the Gold Line.

Still not sure who to vote for?

Tweet me @amychiou and we can chat about it