It’s voting time, right now as I write this Civics column for the SCOOP. If you are a registered voter, you requested a mail-in ballot, and you have received it, it’s voting time. Right now. Fill out your ballot. Put that ballot inside the smaller envelope that was mailed to you along with your ballot, and then place the smaller envelope into the larger envelope that was provided and take it to the nearest drop-off point for mail in ballots or take it to the post office. Do not delay. If you want your voice to be heard and your votes to be counted, and you have received your mail-in ballot, handle your business.
For those of you who plan to vote the traditional way, in person, at the polling place designated for the area of the city where you live, you have just a few more days before decision day 2022. The general election, which is referred to as a Mid-Term election this year, takes place on Tuesday, November 8th. In Pennsylvania and in Delaware, the polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. In New Jersey the polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.
Voting is a civic duty here in America. Once you turn the age of 18, it is expected that if you are a responsible, clear-thinking individual, you will get yourself registered to vote. At the age of 18, as a part of the growing up process, you should vote. It would be hoped that young people under the age of 18–are exposed to the concept of American citizens participating in the political process by voting, through school and also hopefully, from home. If you live in a household where all the adults vote, your children see that. Adults are role models to younger people. Young folk are watching you. If you live in a household where the grown folk talk about politics, discuss what their concerns are with Candidate A over Candidate B, the children are listening. That’s a good thing.
Just like as American citizens once you become an adult, you have to pay taxes; people should feel like they have to register and vote. If you care about who’s in charge, in our nation, such as in the White House and in the U.S. Senate and Congress, etc., you need to vote. If you don’t vote, how dare you think you have the right to “complain” when law makers vote on a critical issue that you disagree with. Too late to voice your opinion then. The opportunity to show how you feel about hot button issues such as a woman’s right to choose, or denying certain people the right to vote, or understanding that Climate Change is a real concern, can be made clear when you vote. When you stand by on the sidelines and just complain, well that’s just crazy.
In Pennsylvania, we’re considered a battleground state. They’re battling in the keystone state to see who will go to the U.S. Senate in January to replace retiring Republican U.S. Senator Pat Toomey. Will it be Republican Mehmet Oz, a television talk show personality and retired heart surgeon– who is backed by the likes of Donald Trump and his MEGA organization. Or will it be Pennsylvania’s current Lt. Governor, John Fetterman?
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Thank you for reading Thera Martin’s article on scoopnewsusa.com. For more on “CIVICS 101”, please subscribe to SCOOP USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital, and VIZION) are $90. (52 weeks / 1 year).
