Voter turnout should be larger

Published 7:39 pm Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Wednesday, many people celebrated the fact that 39 percent of the registered voters in Ward 3 made it to the polls.

While it is great that the voter turnout was higher than usual, it is also unfortunate that less than 40 percent of people registered to vote made a decision that will impact everyone.

Considering Selma’s role in the struggle for voting rights in the 1960s, voter turnout should always be high.

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During the Selma to Montgomery march, people were beaten, verbally assaulted and even killed. Because of their dedication, it is important for everyone to go to the polls to prove their sacrifices were worth the struggle.

Having 39 percent of the people make decisions for the remaining 61 percent who stay home, does not represent a true democracy. A representative democracy can only occur when all of the voters’ voices are heard.

The time it takes to come up with excuses not to vote usually doubles the time it takes a person to get to the polls and make a selection.

People often complain the lines are too  long or they simply do not have the time. Neither excuse holds water. In each polling place people moved through quickly, often in less than five minutes. And, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., it’s hard not to find the time to cast a ballot. The right to choose our leaders is a privilege many nations do not have. We should take advantage of every chance we get to  have our voices heard.