Vote! Vote! Vote!

By Nancy Black

When I was in elementary school, I had the coolest sweatshirt ever. It had the word VOTE across the chest and a big hand making a peace sign below. The red, white and blue colors of the peace sign, similar to our nation’s flag, really made it special to me. I couldn’t wait to wear it on Election Day. Of course, I was too young to vote at the time, but I knew from my mother’s teachings the importance of people voting for the candidates of their choice. The excitement grew daily as crews began rolling polling booths into our school’s gymnasium. Here’s how old I am. The election was between Richard Nixon and George McGovern.

Voting is a right and a privilege, according to the U.S. Constitution. But it is not mandatory. You don’t have to vote for anyone, ever. As far as I’m concerned, if someone doesn’t vote that’s fine. But those non-voters are hereby disqualified from ever complaining about a city’s pothole problems, a state’s environmental laws or the nation’s foreign policy. 

No vote = no voice. 

To find the nearest polling location to your home or work, visit dallascountyvotes.org. Early voting ends Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3.