Exercise Your Right

To the Editor:

Once again, the time has come to vote.  Voting is the civic duty of every eligible citizen.  Today, people do not vote for a variety of reasons.  Some choose not to vote because they feel it is not worth the effort.  Others do not like the candidates that are running for office.  Finally, some think that their vote does not matter. 

I am writing today as a 17-year-old Newtown High School senior, voicing my opinion that voting is important.  Voting is how the ordinary citizen can make their voice heard.  Each and every vote does count.  Historically this has been proven, with government choosing for the people when there was a tie in an election.  In the 1997 election for the Second Seat in the District Legislature for South Dakota, the race was left in a tie, each candidate with 4,191 votes.  After hearing arguments from both sides, the State Legislature chose the victor. If  just one more person voted, government intervention would not have been necessary.

In my years of growing up, I have heard of many instances of people complaining about the choices that their local and federal governments have made only to find out that they did not participate in that election.  In the long run, they were the ones who made the bad choice because of their decision not to vote.  Had they used their right to vote, then their opinions would be justified.  If you choose not to vote, you have no right to complain about government affairs. 

So this Tuesday, November 7th 2000, please exercise your right to vote.  Every vote does count.  My future is in your hands. 

Sincerely,

Matt LaPak

18 Fieldstone Drive, Newtown                                    October 30th 2000