Voter turnout for local elections, races for mayor, city council and school board, is traditionally low, yet just as important, if not more, as state and federal elections. Voters have the power to help make decisions that will bring positive change. Or they can choose to ignore what happens as negative change occurs.
Voting is described as a right, a privilege, a responsibility. It is all of these.
Expressing opinions at the polls is a right given to Americans by those many brave people who sacrificed their lives, mothers who sacrificed their sons and daughters, wives who sacrificed their husbands and children who sacrificed their parents. The sacrifices were made so that Americans could enjoy freedom and have a voice in how our cities, school districts, states and country are run.
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” – Abraham Lincoln
People in the U.S. live an enviable life filled with privileges. We can say what we please, believe what we believe, criticize elected officials, follow our own religions and traditions and more with no repercussions. Daily, freedom of speech allows protests against something or someone in which Americans can take part freely. Freedom of the press provides a constant barrage of news, freely shared. Watching the television news brings this point home as we see protesters in many other countries arrested, imprisoned or worse.
People owe it to their families, friends, employers, employees, co-workers and neighbors to help initiate positive change by voting. However, with the responsibility of voting comes the need for research. To make informed choices, voters must learn what candidates stand for and choose the one that best represents their opinions. If a person goes to the polls uninformed, a true vote doesn’t get cast. A regurgitation of what they’ve heard someone else say is cast instead.
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Voting provides an opportunity for everyone to work to bring about change as they see fit, not changes that are desired by others and not changes with which they do not agree. Voters should express their own opinions and calls for change and what that change should look like.
Voters also have a unique opportunity to vote for change for those who can’t speak for themselves such as children to affect significant changes in their lives.
The right, privilege, responsibility and opportunity to vote has been expressed many ways throughout history and the descriptions are long past originality. But the one fact heard most often is that “one must earn the right to complain.” Unless a vote was cast by the complainer, he/she is out of order.
Below are links to Q&A from the candidates for mayor, City Council and GISD board of trustees.
- Race for mayor: Scott LeMay, Roel Garcia
- Q&A: District 3 City Council candidates – Reposted
- Q&A: District 1 City Council candidates
- Q&A: Place 6 GISD Board of Trustees Candidates
- Q&A: GISD Board of Trustees Place 4 candidates
“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” – George Jean Nathan
Early voting begins April 19 and runs through April 27. Election Day is May 1.
Polling locations: Richland College, Garland Campus at 675 West Walnut Street in Garland or South Garland Library at 4844 Broadway Boulevard in Garland. Times are as follows:
Monday – Saturday, April 19-24 – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 25 – 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday – Tuesday, April 26-27 – 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.