“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.” —Theodore Roosevelt
“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” —Thomas Jefferson
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” —Franklin Roosevelt
“Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” —Abraham Lincoln
November 2 is Election Day in the United States. Historically, non-presidential election years do not have a strong turnout. Take a moment to view your county’s participation in these “off year” elections by going to www.sos.state.tx.us/ elections/. In some cases, the drop in voter turnout is over 20% when the country is not electing a president.
The Texas ballot this year includes eight amendments to our bulky state constitution. Approved in 1876, the Texas constitution has been amended almost five hundred times. Compare that to the twentyseven of the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788. (James Madison was a beast).
Using the same website, research the content of these proposals. For fun, I went to the Libertarian Party’s page to see if they advocated for any of the eight—they do support two. If you are not a computer user, find a copy of the Abilene Reporter-News or Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Their editorial board will offer its take, but the newspapers will run objective information about the amendments’ contents.
Your own ballot may include local bond issues, property tax matters or runoffs. If you go prepared, you can be out of the booth in less than a minute.
Check your voter registration card and have your ID ready to go to the polls next Tuesday. It’s a sacrament, voting is—a ritual that is both a gift and a responsibility.
Editors’ note: Although this organization’s weekly newspapers have not offered opinions regarding the 2021 proposed state constitutional amendments on the Nov. 2 ballot, the text of all eight was listed in our previous edition issue for readers’ reference.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
