HOW DO I GET MY NAME off THE VOTER ROLLS WHEN I DIE? +
De-registration…
No one wants his or her name to be used to vote when they leave this earth, except those without a conscience. Here’s how to make sure your name is scrubbed forever when you die:
It depends on the state, sometimes the voting district.
In some locations it is done automatically from the coroner’s office or some statewide office. In other states it is the responsibility of the deceased family to contact the local or state elections office.
Yup! There should be ONE system, but there isn’t. We know, for instance, that there have been elections where the number of votes cast were greater than the number of residents. At one time Chicago was known for this kind of chicanery.
In any case, you may not want the opposing party to have use of your vote when you die? That’s the last thing the family wants to worry about, but it IS a thing to worry about.
But that is not the only time this issue arises. If you move (even to another house in your town) you may need to inform the elections office AND the post office AND your credit card company AND your state driver’s licensing agency of the move. It is definitely a process! When we moved last I wrote down every place that needed a change of address (it was a check-list). There were more than 70 agencies and businesses I had to inform (some to stop service, some to start service, others to re-direct bills and services). One was voter registration (which thankfully was performed at my driver’s licensing agency).
But when you die, there are things that are needful (beyond finding a way to bury your decaying corpse). AND ONE, unfortunately, is making sure no one has control of your vote.
There is, perhaps, one more reason to remove yourself from the voter rolls: You are tired of getting telemarketing calls and letters because you are registered to vote. Or maybe you have decided that you no longer want to be part of that club. Or maybe you’re reducing your electronic footprint (not totally without merit, by the way). In these cases, your name WILL remain on the voter roll UNLESS you do something about it while you are still alive.
It is sad that we even have to have this conversation. But let’s be realistic, there are those who will misuse you (and your voter registration) if you don’t plan for this eventuality. Of this there is no doubt.
THIS IS A PROBLEM
NBC News story, “They flew to Dubai for a romantic anniversary getaway. Then the bombing started.” We want to feel bad for this couple … except they left a family of three (youngest 8) at HOME in Tennessee with relatives to go on an expensive 20th anniversary trip half-way around the world.
Who doesn’t see a problem with this? This is not a “They have the right!” issue. This is a “What were they thinking?” issue.
First, Dubai? What is “romantic” about Dubai? I’m quite serious. The year they were married Dubai was an unknown dot on the world map. Nothing about it THEN was “romantic.” In the years since they have built quite a bit of “tourist” infrastructure … hotels, pools, gambling, restaurants, and fast cars. I suppose it is better than Gatlinburg (in the state they lived with their family)?? Gatlinburg has everything except the gambling and fast cars. It also is much cheaper (tho’ not cheap).
Second, a romantic trip would be Paris or Luxembourg. Mountains, scenery, trains, museums, PLUS, hotels, pools, beaches, and restaurants. Beauty and history. Twenty years ago it was exactly the same except now they use the Euro instead of Francs and you can travel easily throughout the region with your passport. Where can you go from Dubai? To the hot desert?
Third, you left your FAMILY to go half way around the world? That isn’t smart or good. Have you never watched “Home Alone?” You’re living it!
Fourth, there had been significant talk about the potential conflict for over a month. You went anyway. Why? Because you didn’t have travel insurance? Dubai is not a first world country and you shouldn’t expect it to be safe for tourists.
EXTRAS
Scary Mommy writes: “OK, So Everybody’s Struggling To Pay For Their Kids’ Extracurriculars, Right?”
Aside from the grammar problem “everybody’s” (what? The apostrophe makes it a possessive not a contraction)… which really is a problem … it assumes a falsehood: Your kids HAVE TO be involved in extracurriculars. There is no law requiring it. YOU want them to be involved! Therefore YOU should pay for it.
Second falsehood: That the kids get to make the choices. I know that is false because I knew parents who insisted that ALL their kids would have piano lessons. I knew other families who said “No” when a child chose something they thought inappropriate. The choice belongs to the parents. Their money, their choice.
Third falsehood: Once started they have to continue without discussion. My parents asked “Do you want to go out again for football?” That opened the discussion. They had input and I had input. My brothers went out for basketball. None of us had piano lessons, ballet lessons, painting instruction, etc.
Fourth falsehood: You must do it even if you can’t afford it. Nah! Food and housing comes first. Extraccurriculars is … EXTRA (its in the word).
FALSE, FAKE, INSANE!!! If you can’t afford extracurriculars, maybe don’t buy that $55k e-car. Maybe buy a house in a less nice area, a bit further from location, location, location. Set your highest priority and work down to extras. Its called “Budgeting 101.”
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
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