Posted 8:35 pm Tuesday, November 06, 2012
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There’s still time to cast your vote
By now, as many of half of Smith County voters have cast ballots in the important elections being held today. The rest who are planning to vote are likely making their way to the polls even now (or have carved out time before the polls close at 7 p.m.).
Combined, those should be impressive numbers — interest in the elections is high, with a contentious presidential race and a wet/dry election on the ballot.
The Smith County elections office reports more than 2,000 newly registered voters since the July primary. That puts the number in Smith County at more than 120,000. She expects the majority of those registered voters to cast ballots.
Combined, those should be impressive numbers — interest in the elections is high, with a contentious presidential race and a wet/dry election on the ballot.
The Smith County elections office reports more than 2,000 newly registered voters since the July primary. That puts the number in Smith County at more than 120,000. She expects the majority of those registered voters to cast ballots.
As for the remainder — those registered voters who aren’t planning to bother, we would ask you to reconsider.
CNN had an interesting project this fall. As an online experiment, CNN’s John Sutter asked readers to offer reasons to vote to residents of Hawaii, the state that has long had the nation’s worse voter-participation rate. Here are a few of the best arguments those readers submitted, in their own words. The arguments apply to registered Texans who don’t vote, as well.
— People have died to provide me the rights I now enjoy, including the right to vote. I honor their sacrifice by exercising that right.
— As a citizen of the state of Hawaii and the U.S., inform yourself and engage. Not sure if you have children or not — but their future depends on your vote as well.
— The fact that I voted makes this election a more valid and legitimate one than it would be if I had not voted. Regardless of whether my candidate wins or not, the fact that the winner was elected after many millions of people cast their votes means that he has earned the right to govern. That alone makes for a better country.
— No vote, no grumble. Your vote is your voice. If you don’t speak up, then don’t expect others to sympathize if you’re unhappy with the way things are going.
— Though it’s a “right” right now, if we aren’t judicious with it and take it for granted, it could be that one day we might not have that right.
— It makes you feel you have done something very important and serious. You feel more a part of this big nation of ours.
— One does not vote just to support their personal interests, but also support the interests of others. We live in a country where we have to help one another to create success. It’s what unites us as one people.
— As a legal immigrant waiting my five-year period to become a citizen so I can vote, what do you need to be convinced? It’s your privilege to vote — for a president, Congress and Senate and all local initiatives — not voting is just sad.
— When you vote, you share your voice, express your concerns, and inspire others to follow. Voting is your super-secret superpower. Do it.
These are great reasons (especially the last one). Are you listening?
CNN had an interesting project this fall. As an online experiment, CNN’s John Sutter asked readers to offer reasons to vote to residents of Hawaii, the state that has long had the nation’s worse voter-participation rate. Here are a few of the best arguments those readers submitted, in their own words. The arguments apply to registered Texans who don’t vote, as well.
— People have died to provide me the rights I now enjoy, including the right to vote. I honor their sacrifice by exercising that right.
— As a citizen of the state of Hawaii and the U.S., inform yourself and engage. Not sure if you have children or not — but their future depends on your vote as well.
— The fact that I voted makes this election a more valid and legitimate one than it would be if I had not voted. Regardless of whether my candidate wins or not, the fact that the winner was elected after many millions of people cast their votes means that he has earned the right to govern. That alone makes for a better country.
— No vote, no grumble. Your vote is your voice. If you don’t speak up, then don’t expect others to sympathize if you’re unhappy with the way things are going.
— Though it’s a “right” right now, if we aren’t judicious with it and take it for granted, it could be that one day we might not have that right.
— It makes you feel you have done something very important and serious. You feel more a part of this big nation of ours.
— One does not vote just to support their personal interests, but also support the interests of others. We live in a country where we have to help one another to create success. It’s what unites us as one people.
— As a legal immigrant waiting my five-year period to become a citizen so I can vote, what do you need to be convinced? It’s your privilege to vote — for a president, Congress and Senate and all local initiatives — not voting is just sad.
— When you vote, you share your voice, express your concerns, and inspire others to follow. Voting is your super-secret superpower. Do it.
These are great reasons (especially the last one). Are you listening?
