ELECTION TIPS

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR HANDLING ELECTION DAY . . . IF YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER WANTS THE OTHER GUY TO WIN:

I love that people get so fired up about politics. But what do you do if the person you wake up next to every morning wants the OTHER guy to win tomorrow? Well, we tracked down a list of TEN tips to help you make it through Election Day . . . without totally messing up your relationship.

#1.) Assess the situation. Is one of you way more passionate about your candidate . . . while the other doesn't really care? Acknowledge who feels more strongly . . . and figure out whether you'll be able to engage in real political discourse or not.

#2.) Find common ground. Even if you're on opposite ends of the political spectrum, chances are you'll be able to see eye-to-eye on at least one or two issues. Try to focus on them.

#3.) Establish boundaries. Things can get seriously ugly when it comes to politics. Recognize that . . . and set up a few ground rules to prevent your political conversations from getting out of hand.

#4.) Show respect. When you love and respect someone, try to remember that. No matter how insane you think their political beliefs are, don't taunt or make passive-aggressive digs. Seriously . . . that's not cool.

#5.) Don't make judgments. At the end of the day, you love someone for who they are . . . and most of those qualities have nothing to do with who they vote for.

#6.) Find distractions. If you wanted to, you could talk . . . and argue . . . about politics 24/7 . . . but what's the point? Find something to distract both of you . . . so you don't claw each other's eyes out.

#7.) Find your outlet. If you can't talk to your partner about politics, find another way to express your feelings. Talk to friends who are politically likeminded or write a blog. Do whatever it takes so you don't go home . . . and pick a stupid fight.

#8.) Keep it out of the bedroom. Your bed should be a safe zone. . . NOT a place to exchanging your thoughts on your candidate's plan for the economy.

#9.) Make a plan for election night. Let's face it . . . one of you is going to be happy, and the other isn't. Go to separate election-watching parties . . . or keep an eye on the results from different rooms. Either way, just be prepared.

#10.) Do a reality check. You might have a great relationship in spite of your different political beliefs . . . or you might have major philosophical differences which make you incompatible. Unless you really want to be miserable . . . you'd better figure it out. (CNN)

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HERE'S SOME FREE STUFF YOU CAN GET JUST FOR VOTING:

In theory, having a say in who becomes the next president should be fulfilling enough. But just in case it isn't . . . here's a list of places that are giving out FREE STUFF to voters on Tuesday.

#1.) Krispy Kreme will be giving out free star-shaped doughnuts with red, white and blue sprinkles . . . to anyone who comes in wearing an "I Voted" sticker.

#2.) If you go into Starbucks on Tuesday and tell them you voted . . . they'll give you a free cup of coffee.

#3.) Ben and Jerry's will be giving out free scoops of ice cream . . . from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Election Day . . . to anyone who votes. (News & Observer)