Sunbathers on a beach in Delaware show their support for George W. Bush with a sand sculpture of the President's middle initial. (Photo: Valirie Morgan)

August 2004—Voters across the U.S. are preparing for the upcoming November 2 elections. Some citizens are pretty mellow about their vote, but others aren't afraid to have their opinions seen and heard!

I was walking on a beach in Delaware recently when I came across a group of people making a huge "W" in the sand. I asked them what they were doing and they explained that they support the re-election of President George W. Bush.

Another Republican having a block party was serving hot dogs with relish, mustard, and ketchup. The ketchup caught my eye. The bottle was labeled "George W. Bush for President." And instead of the "Heinz 57" near the top of the bottle, there was a "50 States" label. Democratic candidate John Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, is heir to the Heinz Ketchup fortune.

Other candidate supporters are having parties featuring speeches by leaders or even the candidate themselves. Singer Paul Simon hosted a party for Kerry. The only disappointment among the guests was that he didn't sing! Kerry and Vice President Dick Cheney have each called into thousands of house parties in conference calls to connect with supporters eager to hear about the campaign.

How to have a party! One thousand pounds of confetti and more than 160,000 balloons were time released over some 40,000 conventioneers on the last night of the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July. (Photo: Suzanne Freeman)

Candidates are doing everything in their power to get their names out to the public. I have seen hundreds of cars bearing bumper stickers for "Kerry 2004" or "Bush/Cheney '04." Flyers, yard signs, and brochures are just three of the many things candidates have created to distribute. Have you seen any in your neighborhood?

Candidates host their own parties, too. Their parties are so big, they are called rallies. Most are open to any supporters who want to come and hear their candidate. People who want to can donate money toward a candidate's fund, or they can help by spreading the word about that person. Usually at rallies, the candidate, and sometimes a guest speaker, give a speech about new updates in the campaign. Rallies are usually festive occasions complete with balloons, confetti, signs, and loud music.

Election time is just beginning. As November 2 draws near, the parties and rallies will increase. Look for election signs and bumper stickers in your area. Can you tell which candidate has the most support? If you want a bumper sticker or yard sign, you can usually get them for free—or very cheap—from your local campaign headquarters. (Check in directory assistance or on the Web for phone numbers and addresses.) Every voice counts, so let's all get into the spirit of the election!