As Americans our most precious right…is the right to vote. There is no more important civic responsibility than exercising that right. Regardless of the atmosphere of fear being created today…remember we vote by secret ballot. Voting by mail in the privacy of your home adds even more security. No one can determine how you vote. Don’t be afraid.
As election day approaches those wanting to suppress voting have increased the rhetoric joined by scary posts on social media and an avalanche of TV commercials. Regardless of one’s political persuasion it’s vital we not let down our forefathers who established the democracy we have enjoyed for nearly 250 years. It’s not just our Constitution and democracy on the ballot this year…it could be our right to vote.
Let us be reminded how long and hard women fought for the right to vote. The women’s suffrage movement began in 1848. A National American Woman Suffrage Association was formed in 1916 to focus on passing a national suffrage amendment. Few early supporters lived to see the final victory. The 19th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution was passed by Congress in 1919 and ratified in 1920. It states that the right to vote cannot be denied based on sex. However, it should not be forgotten decades of struggle to include minority women’s voting rights remained.
Students of history know the tremendous obstacles to voting faced by African Americans in the South. The obstacles included poll taxes, literacy tests and other bureaucratic restrictions. They risked harassment, intimidation, economic reprisals, and physical violence when they tried to register to vote. Renewed attention to voting rights in 1964 through numerous peaceful demonstrations were organized by Civil Rights leaders. Congress passed the voting rights bill in 1965. It outlawed literacy tests and provided for the appointment of federal examiners with the right to register qualified citizens to vote.
Don’t let the fearmongers of 2024 keep you from exercising our most precious right…the right to vote.
Don’t be afraid…your vote is secret by ballot.
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