"Just a Thought" Column continues in La Prensa of SA, 2-7
Just a Thought: Cast
Your Ballot
by Steve Walker
by Steve Walker
We are currently in the midst of a
Primary Election cycle where we are getting ready to cast our votes for
preferential candidates for President, Judges, Representatives, Constables, and
many other local offices that appear on the ballot. This year it is a long list
of people seeking higher office. In two recent columns I addressed the high
number of Hispanics running for office.
Candidates from both the Republican and
Democratic Party are geared up to choose their candidates to best represent
their issues and platforms for the upcoming General Election in November.
Looking back at the history of voting in
our country, it is interesting and informative to say the least.
Back in the beginning of our country in
1787 only white males over 21 who owned property were able to vote. It took the
country until 1843 to allow all white men over 21 to vote. Progress comes
slowly.
For you History buffs who may have
forgotten it took until 1870 to pass the 15th amendment to
guarantee the right to vote to all men 21 and older regardless of race or
ethnic background. That included freed slaves.
Imagine the excitement in 1920 when
women over 21 were finally allowed to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment.
It was only after they protested and marched en masse did they receive the
right to vote. Today 52 percent of the eligible voters are women and more women
are being elected to serve.
It wasn’t until 1964 when I graduated
high school that the 24th Amendment made it illegal for states
to charge poll tax to voters and in 1965, the Voting Rights Act authorized the
federal government to oversee voting that had discriminated and prevented
blacks and other minorities from registering to vote or cast their ballots.
Up to that point they did so through
usage of literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and intimidation tactics. Can you
imagine today having to take a literacy test to prove you have the right to
vote? How the accessibility to vote has changed over the years. Makes you
appreciate the right and responsibility to cast your ballot.
In 1971 while I was still serving
in Viet Nam, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age
across the nation to 18. I voted for president in 1968 when I was 21 years
old. It was only in 1982 the Voting Rights Act Amendments, allowed
further provisions for Americans with disabilities, voters not able to read and
write, and those not fluent in English were added to insure their freedoms.
Over the years I have read numerous
people complain that their vote doesn’t really count. From a historical view
that includes other countries we can also see the power of just one vote does
indeed make a difference.
For example in 1776 one vote
gave America the English language instead of German and in 1868 one
vote saved President Andrew
Johnson from impeachment.
In 1876 one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the
Presidency of the United States of America. Finally in 1923
one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership
of the Nazi Party and in 1941 one vote saved the Selective Service - just weeks
before Pearl Harbor was attacked. As one who signed up with the selective
service (aka Draft Board) at 18 and was sent three draft notices in the 60s, I
can identify with that.
Amazing what one vote can do in an
election. So the next time you go to the polls remember your vote does count
and can make a difference on who wins or loses. You are encouraged to vote
March 1st or early vote in the primary of your choice beginning February
16th and running through February 26th.
If not, there will be other candidates
on the General Election ballot in November as well representing other
independent parties. It is your choice. If you don’t vote, someone else will
vote and decide our elected officials. Be a part of the process and go Vote!
And as always, what I write is “Just a
Thought.”
Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and former Justice of the
Peace and Journalist.
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