Lent Madness Voting 101

vote!Around this time of year, the Supreme Executive Inbox begins to fill up with some version of “How do I play Lent Madness?” While we like to be helpful and are happy to take your calls at 3:00 am,  you should know that there are several guidelines to follow.

1) You cannot vote by mailing Tim or Scott a paper ballot -- even if it's sent by registered mail.

2) You do need access to a computer or smart phone of some kind -- votes sent by carrier pigeon, while impressive, are not valid.

confused3) You're welcome to drive to the global headquarters of Forward Movement in Cincinnati, Ohio, and verbally share your vote with the staff. It will not, however, count.

4. If you live in an exotic locale such as, say, Hawaii or the south of France or a Caribbean resort, and would like to fly Tim and Scott to your home to tell us your preference in person, that will be a valid vote.

Believe it or not, there is actually a method to this Madness. And it's quite straightforward. Fortunately for you, a Voting 101 video was produced at the behest of the SEC in 2013 by the mysterious Maple Anglican. Even though it's a classic, this brief video remains relevant and is a great introduction for first-time participants. As we like to say, spend four minutes now and enjoy forty days of unfettered voting fun.

Finally, remember that voting begins the day after Ash Wednesday on Thursday, February 11th — aka “Ash Thursday.” The first matchup of Lent Madness 2016 between Helena and Monnica (the matronly meltdown) will be posted at 8:00 am EST. Now go watch the video!

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23 comments on “Lent Madness Voting 101”

  1. I am concerned on dealing with hanging chads. Are those ballots automatically rejected by SEC or their delegated representatives? We have lots of problems in Florida with chads, so knowing in advance will be helpful. Thank you

  2. I'm conflicted. My full bracket is due at church on Tuesday, February 9th at our Shrove Tuesday dinner. My dilemma is this: am I obligated to vote online as I did on my paper bracket turned in on the 9th...or can I deviate and go crazy on the Lent Madness online voting site??

    1. I would say you can deviate as much as you like. Nobody should be looking over your shoulder checking to see if your vote matches your bracket.

      And in a number of cases who you think WILL win may not match who you think deserves to win. Sometimes you vote your conscience even if you know the opponent is likely to win in a landslide!

  3. Gee...seems as if there's a wee bit of confusion out here in pre-Lent season. Hope it gets better...maybe getting some ashes will help or maybe if the King cakes produce lots of little bitty babies, folks will be happy and all that purple, green, and gold sugar will clear out brain fog. I, for one, am ready and rarin' to vote......just so happy LENTMADNESS is just about here !!!!! Let's go Bloggers....don't make the Padres upset 'cause you're too close to the cutoff date..Remember, one has a semi-vicious ferret.

    1. I know Oliver is planning to participate this year. He has his Saintly Scorecard and has been making his selections. However, he refuses to reveal them to either his mother or Sunday School teacher before he votes.

  4. All these last minute questions and concerns are standard for the days just before the game begins. No worry! It's all going to work out and God already knows the winner. Gentle people start your digital devices.

  5. Because I DO live in an exotic locale, an islandsmaller than Maui, and I am willing to fly you here to cast my votes, please let me know when you would like to visit. You will be flown by a small private airplane from the Port Clinton International airport to runway 3W2 on South Bass Island which is close to the Canadian border.

  6. Dear Tim and Scott,
    For 2 long years I have tried to get my husband on the list serve for Lent Madness. We’ve both tried entering his e-mail address from our separate computers, but alas, he never gets anything from you. I am very weary of forwarding all the Lent Madness posts to him. Just because we are married, does that mean he cannot get Lent Madness on his own computer? Just in case the SEC should have pity on us, his e-mail is ddspeers.38@gmail.com. Thank you!

  7. Am I a total cheat for knowing Terri Morrissey and Nancy Trimble? They have shared no information to date, nor have they helped me with my bracket, but I do realize close affiliation may be damning.

  8. I abstain from social media and digital entertainment during Lent using that time for service, study and reflection. Would be great if Lent Madness was "Saints Alive" or some-such year 'round. Bless you all for/in this endeavor!

  9. My wife and I are Lent Madness fans and, although we have different email addresses, we share one computer. Last year, only one of us was allowed to vote each day - we had to rush to the computer at 8am before the other got there. How do we overcome this problem?

    1. The best thing would be to use a different device (another computer, a phone, a table). Otherwise, you can use two different browsers on the same computer. We keep a careful eye out for multiple votes from the same location, so if you get shut out (and you'll know it if that happens!) just let us know what's going on and we'll get you running again.

  10. Is there a way to leave a message that you want only the Supreme Executive Committee to read? Because you are so humble and feel so unworthy in sharing with the universe the way your parish is 'celebrating' Lentmadness?