The Importance of Voting – Vote on Nov. 3
By Michael Mauro
Iowa Secretary of State
This coming Tuesday is an Election Day throughout the State of Iowa. Every Iowan who lives in one of the 947 cities across the state will have the opportunity to elect or re-elect their city officials. Historically there is a very low turnout in these elections, even though city government officials can have a huge impact on the daily lives of their citizens.
Our country’s government is based on democracy. Our soldiers fight for our democracy with their lives. Yet we often take the right to vote for granted. Imagine if you didn’t have the right to elect your local city, school or county officials. Imagine if taxes were increased without any input from the citizens who pay them. Imagine if decisions were made about your child’s education and you had nothing to say about it.
Getting involved at the most basic level, by voting, allows you to have a voice at any level of government, in the areas that affect your daily life – roads, taxes, public safety and so on.
It has never been easier to vote in Iowa than it is right now. The Iowa legislature adopted “same day registration” last year, which allows you to go to your precinct polling place, even if you are not registered to vote, show proper identification and vote on Tuesday. If you are unable to go to the polls on Tuesday, call your county auditor on Monday (Nov. 2, 2009) to find out how to vote by absentee ballot. If you don’t know your local officials, find out who they are, and what they stand for.
VOTE on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd!
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