Residents urged to exercise their right to vote – BG Independent News

The power of our vote is undeniable, but many Ohioans don’t take advantage of that right. Of Ohio’s approximately 9.2 million eligible voters, 86.8 percent are registered. However, in the 2023 election, only 49.63% of registered voters cast their ballots, meaning only 43.12% of the eligible population made decisions for everyone. This low turnout raises crucial questions about voter participation.

Why do so many people choose not to vote or register? Some may feel uninformed or think their vote doesn’t matter. Others may be too busy or unsure about the voting process. It’s hard for me to understand this reluctance because I couldn’t wait to cast my first vote when I turned 18. Throughout history, people have been arrested, beaten, and lost their lives fighting for voting rights. For them, they never take this right and privilege for granted.

Our democracy is built on voting. Originally, voting rights were limited to white men who owned property. It wasn’t until the 15th Amendment in 1870 that voting rights were theoretically extended to all men, regardless of race. The 19th Amendment in 1920 finally gave women the right to vote, although it initially applied only to white women. Significant progress came with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which banned literacy tests, poll taxes, and other discriminatory practices that had long suppressed minority voting.

Voting is not only a right, but also a powerful tool that influences governance, policies and community services. Politicians strive to limit access to voting because they understand the impact of each vote. Recent narratives suggesting that elections are unfair or that fraud is rife are not supported by the evidence. For example, in the 2020 Ohio presidential election, out of nearly 6 million votes cast, only 27 were deemed illegal, a rate of about 0.0005%. Allegations of non-citizen voting have proven to be unfounded, often involving newly naturalized citizens. As an election worker, I have witnessed firsthand the rigorous security measures in place to ensure the integrity of elections.

Despite these facts, Ohio lawmakers are advancing bills that further restrict access to voting, such as banning outdoor absentee ballot containers (SB 184) and requiring voter ID to match appearances current (HB 472). These measures threaten to complicate the voting process and target voters. We have the power to vote out lawmakers who propose these measures.

If you haven’t registered to vote, the deadline in Ohio is October 7th. Early voting begins on October 8, and election day is November 5. Be sure to bring an unexpired Ohio driver’s license, state ID, or passport to the polls. For unbiased information on candidates and issues, visit www.Vote411.org.

Shar Katzner
Bowling Green

Posted by: David Dupont on August 31, 2024.