To the editor:
To me, election day is a special opportunity when I can exercise my right as an American citizen to express my opinion on whom I would like to have serve the American people. It is an honor and a privilege for Americans to have this right, and I object to anyone who tries to denigrate it by acting like it is just something to do on the way home from work or while running errands if I happen to get the chance.
Getting a loaf of bread at Meijer or a tank of gas at VP is something I just do without much thought or concern. But voting? Voting is something that I take very seriously and do my research on the candidates and issues. I talk with my friends, go to meet-and-greets and attend debates and other events where candidates are presented. I hope others also take this privilege of voting to heart and try to make the best choices possible and want their vote to count for their favorite candidate. I like the excitement of election day and the hoping and wondering if my candidates will win.
I bristle at the idea of someone passing by an early voting center and deciding to drop in and vote, thinking to himself, “Oh well, it’s something to do today.” This turns my stomach.
And now the big push by our county election board and clerk is to vote early — up to 30 days in advance. How can one know all the facts that may come out about a candidate or an issue? How many presidential candidates dropped out or suspended their campaigns after early votes were already cast?
I will continue to vote on election day, and if the election board cannot or will not adequately rectify the fiasco of the 2016 primary, then I promise to work hard to see those folks are replaced.
The right to vote is not to be treated lightly.
Michael Flynn
Greenfield
