Importance of Voting

I am 55 years old. Way back in the dark ages, 18 year olds could not vote, but they could be sent to war via the draft process. This was the time of the Vietnam War or police action, since no declaration of war was issued by Congress. As a result of various protests and outcry, the law was changed to extend the right to 18 year olds to vote. It was contested by a couple of states in the US Supreme Court. Therefore, the Congress passed a new amendment to the Constitution which was ratified by the stated. The 26th Amendment went into effect on July 1, 1971.

I was in the first group of 18 year olds waiting at the courthouse the first morning 18 year olds could register to vote for the clerk's office to open. What a thrill. My voice, however small, was going to be heard. I won't tell you that I have voted in every election since, but I have tried to vote in all of them because voting is both a right and a privilege and a duty as a believer.

The older I get the more I realize the importance of voting, especially for our national and state leaders. I believe this is part of not just our rights but our freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Just look at the recent elections in Africa where the election commission refused to release the results of their vote. I believe that president was defeated in that election. However, he does not want to give up power. That country is now holding a run off election. Without paying attention to things like that in the US, we could be facing that kind of difficulty.

It has been said that the way for evil people to rule or win is for good people to do nothing. Don't do nothing. Even if you don't work in a campaign, do what is right for you, for us, for your country. REGISTER AND VOTE.