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Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough In The News

Personal Injury Lawyer

Why We Vote
John T. Kirtley - Feb, 2004

A law professor once told the class, "With rights, come responsibilities."

In this presidential election year, it is more important than ever to responsibly exercise your right vote. Many people think that their vote does not matter. If everyone felt that way, and no one voted, we would never elect anyone. Many elections have been decided by less than 100 votes. Remember the Florida fiasco in 2000? Some feel that the president was "selected" by the Supreme Court and not "elected" by the voice of the people. If you feel that way, this year is your chance to make your vote count!

Some people feel that all the candidates are the "same bunch of crooks," so why bother voting? This and other negative thoughts are reinforced by negative campaigning designed to turn you off to the system. The fewer people that vote leads to a narrower range of persons, with narrow viewpoints, who will elect officials that will determine your rights. Remember, the President, subject to Senate confirmation, has the power to appoint Supreme Court justices who hold office for life. While Congress may pass, and the President may veto, laws, ultimately the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, and laws and, consequently, determines how, if at all, our freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, press, bearing arms, jury trials and many other rights and liberties will be affected - or protected.

It is, also, important to vote in your state and local elections. Do you complain about your children's school policies? If so, ask yourself, "Did I vote for the members of our school board? Do I even know the members of the school board?" Are you unhappy with the condition of your town's roads or your property tax rate? Change starts at the grass roots level whether you live on a farm or in the inner city, and all change starts by electing people to make change, whether it is a mayor or a president. Voting for and knowing your elected officials will enable you to voice your complaints to the appropriate representatives. You voted for them, and they work for you.

If "the polls are too crowded," or you "cannot get there on time," or you "do not have transportation," there are many organizations that volunteer their time to insure everyone's right to vote. If you need a ride, call the League of Women Voters; if you know you cannot get to the polls on time, request an absentee ballot. What could be easier than voting by mail? Finally, in most counties, voting starts about 3 weeks before the election. There is plenty of time to vote and not enough excuses to avoid voting.

Yes, you also have the right not to vote. But ask yourself what choice is that? If you don't stand for something, you might as well sit down. Voting is the most fundamental, and important, right you have, but it is a tremendous responsibility that only you can fulfill. This year, we urge you to please fulfill your responsibility and VOTE!

John T. Kirtley, III

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