See, no pic, even.

Sure, I could try and sex this blog up by declaring the FtY bump, as the race in California and throughout the nation tightens within an inch of its life after my stunning, shocking, and all together earthshaking surprise endorsement of Barack Obama. (Maria Shriver? Never heard of the woman.) But all I’d be doing is stealing a joke from Stephen Colbert and, until his writers return, he needs every single one right now.

Instead, I just want to remind readers that tomorrow is probably the most important primary election in the last thirty years.

Here’s the really crucial part: If you are in California and are a “Decline to State” or “Undeclared” voter (i.e., you’re registered to vote, but not in any political party), you CAN vote in Tuesday’s Democratic primary — but you have to ask for a Democratic party ballot. You can find a lot more about it here. The bottom line is, no BS, you can vote in Democratic primaries and it’s illegal for poll workers, who might not be aware of the law, to prevent you from doing so. Be firm, but polite. Speaking softly is good, carrying a big stick might get you arrested, however.

[AND ANOTHER UPDATE — IMPORTANT: Notwithstanding what I wrote below and what’s in comments, there are a large number of anecdotal reports coming in via KPCC’s Airtalk call-in program that there a number of poll workers are apparently not as clued in to the situation as John P. Garry. In particular, there is a lot of confusion over the term “independent” as it seems that both poll workers and voters are unaware that the American Independent is a very small, far-right party (which goes by another name in other states). Non-partisan/Decline to State voters need to be very vigilant that they are being escorted to the correct booth and are given the correct ballots.]

[UPDATE: My thoughts are this are just a jokey variation on what was written in the page I linked to at the Courage Campaign above, as well as the content of the commercial recorded by Bradley Whitford. There was also an incident I discuss in the comments which caused me some concern. However, thanks to FtY friend John P. Garry III below, we read that that at least one poll worker and general, all-around geniusey guy known to me in the real world, has received what sounds like excellent training and will actually offer it as a choice rather than having to be asked. Hopefully you’re mileage won’t very by too much…we shall see. Our friendly bloggingwood poll worker has also helpfully posted a link below to LAVote.net, where Los Angelenos can go to for information, etc.]

If firmness doesn’t work for some reason, then If there are any issues, you can call the California Obama Election Protection Hotline (for fairly obvious reasons having to do with the sensibilities of most Decline to State voters, Hillary Clinton’s campaign isn’t as interested in this aspect of the election — though a big turn-out helps all Democrats and all sane folks, generally)

That’s it. End of my most boring post as I run off to volunteer. Whoever you vote for tomorrow, please vote out of hope, not fear. Fear is what got us into this mess.