Vote by mail

Readers of this blog may be aware that I am a devout snail mailer. This valentine I made a few years ago attests to my love for letters in all ways.

It was of course gratifying to illustrate a post office scene in Island Birthday by Eva Murray, where islanders congregate.

And with the writing of letters comes the collecting of stamps. I made this drawing/collage for Carson Ellis’ #transmundanetuesday drawing prompts on Instagram with a swell batch of stamps from Petronella Periwinkle.

With the Covid-19 sheltering, I began pounding away on a vintage Corona typewriter, sending blathery letters to whoever I could.

It felt liberating to type outdoors and not care about mistakes. I was making trips to the Peaks Island Post Office almost daily. It demanded a drawing of it’s own.

Notice that same mail carrier stamp from the above valentine.

I love my little PIPO (Peaks Island Post Office) and our Postmaster Gary and Mailman Al are the BEST. Sadly, there was a fire there in early June. But now, there’s a mobile PO truck that keeps us in business.

This was my rabbit rabbit sketch for June 1, featuring a vintage mail bunny and various stamps. Voting by mail is a perfect movement in this current health crisis, yeah?

I enjoy making my own envelopes, too, when time permits.

When you send mail, you receive mail! Win, win! Here are some of my mail treasures.

Meanwhile, Marty and I signed up for Vote Forward, an organization focused on getting out the vote, with personal mail. That’s a mission I can embrace! Try it!

Voting by mail could be critical in these times of voter suppression, long lines, and mask-wearing politics. Have you heard of Fair Fight Action? This is an organization founded by activist and author, Stacey Abrams, born out of the dismal voting disruptions in her home state of Georgia. Support this incredible effort to make voting as accessible as it should be.

Here’s my July rabbit rabbit, which includes my own Maine absentee ballot.

The lines are seldom a problem at the polls on our little island, but I voted by mail a week ago. I read in today’s paper that there has been a record number of absentee ballots cast for today’s election in Maine. Bravo! It can be done!

Feel free to share this collage. I ALWAYS vote, and believe in the fundamental power of this act. Have you voted today? If yes, thank you, Mainers. If not, I hope you will in November!