VALDOSTA —
When I turned 18 my father took me down to the courthouse one evening to go before the Board of Registrars so I could be qualified to vote. I was called into the room before three men. I remember being nervous. They asked me questions about residency and being an American before I was given their stamp of approval.
Since that night 47 years ago I do not think I have missed voting in an election. Even while serving in the Air Force in Ohio and Thailand my family made sure I got an absentee ballot.
When I stood before those three men no one talked to me about voting being my “right” as an American. I did not even think about it. To me, and the family in which I was raised voting is something you do … it was my responsibility … like going to work or going to church.
One conversation I never remember hearing in my home was my mother or father asking each other how they voted. They never asked me. The vote itself was all that mattered.
Today you can register to vote when you get your driver’s license and numerous other places. It is easy. There is no reason to be nervous, as I was when I registered. Potential voters are reminded over and over that voting is their right and no one can keep them from registering. Once again, voting is a lesson like so many others taught today; we teach the right but not the responsibility part.
Votes are more likely cast today when the outcome will benefit us. One or two candidates might have our attention and we pass over the rest of the ballot. I agree this is an unusual election. Statewide candidates are not giving the statewide electorate much attention. Their focus is on three or four counties around Atlanta and north that can throw the votes more in their direction … Republican and Democrat. South Georgia will be more important after the Primary through the General Election in November. Even with that campaign strategy we have no less responsibility to cast our vote.
A few years back we started Early Voting, which I like. The voting period lasted two weeks before the Primary or General Election. Then someone decided the time should be extended to six weeks of Advance Voting. Now we do not have an election day but rather a last day to vote. This needs to be changed. The time is way too long. It is confusing the voters and the candidates. And I do not see where any county has had an increase in voting over the original two-week early voting period.
Lowndes at the end of last week had 1,200 votes cast, neighboring Lanier County 227 and Berrien 488. When you take into account the number of poll workers needed to make voting available to all of us for thirty days the cost per vote is quite expensive. We might need to add a poll tax to pay for the privilege. I suggest and I think most candidates would agree let’s return to two weeks of early voting.
If you did not take advantage of voting before the election you can do it the old-fashioned way and vote on Election Day – Tuesday, July 20. Remember, it is your responsibility.
Sandy Sanders
Turning 18 before the election board
- Sandy Sanders
-
-
Think before you answer
I got an email this week where a writer of an online column tells the story of a young child in Sunday School. The writer says the little boy’s teacher asked his class ‘What’s the animal with a long, bushy tail that lives in trees?’ One child quickly answers while probably thinking about the usual answer to questions in his church Sunday School, ‘Jesus. Though it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.’
-
Forgiveness, redemption go together
The news story on Friday read: “WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday to censure once-powerful New York Rep. Charles Rangel for multiple ethical misdeeds — the first time in nearly three decades that House members have publicly rebuked a colleague.
-
South Georgia roots run deep for these execs
David Ratcliffe and Mike Garrett, two highly respected executives with Valdosta and South Georgia ties, will be stepping down as leaders of two of the largest power companies in the nation by yearend.
-
VDT ready with all-new digital edition
You can now go to the home page of our website (www.valdostadailytimes.com) and click on the link for our digital e-edition. You can sign up for a seven-day trial or, if you currently subscribe to the print edition, we will be glad to add the e-edition just by calling our office for details.
-
We are losing our children and we are blaming ‘others’
Extinction! There are public outcries to save animals, bugs and reptiles while our own children are being lost to a new world order. In the past two weeks, I have seen two students, one high school, one middle school, with their parents blessing bring to the public area all the details of their student-teacher antics. Each student had been suspended from school and one was making his way to court.
-
Do we want tax or football braggin’ rights?
A drop in our property digest seems evident and to maintain we will need a tax increase. We can recruit higher-paying jobs to the county and get more taxes that way but is that practical thinking for a quick adjustment in this economy?
-
Blazer Zone moving into Drexel Park
Next Saturday, Blazer fan families will have a great opportunity for some pre-game tailgating fun. The university is turning Drexel Park into a mini carnival so families can spread out to enjoy an afternoon under the trees, as they get ready for the Blazers’ season opener.
-
Maggots with your steak
Today, with online journalism on newspaper websites, readers are able to go online, read the story, post a comment and, within minutes, their comment (thread) is answered by another reader. The bantering can follow a positive line or it can quickly move to having all the attributes of a barroom brawl.
-
Why do some children live in abusive houses?
As I have written many times in this column, I grew up in a small town. My father worked at Moody Air Force Base for 30 years and as he would recollect while laughing, “I ate a fried egg sandwich for lunch every day of those 30 years.”
-
Turning 18 before the election board
When I turned 18 my father took me down to the courthouse one evening to go before the Board of Registrars so I could be qualified to vote. I was called into the room before three men. I remember being nervous. They asked me questions about residency and being an American before I was given their stamp of approval.
- More Sandy Sanders Headlines
-
Think before you answer
