2008 Woodie Awards
DO mess with Texas: VOTE
Editorial
Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Now is the time to mess with the final tally for the upcoming election and change the polling landscape. The local, state and federal races are interesting.
The governor's race during this general election is an attention-grabber. Some of the five gubernatorial candidates have been trashing each other over issues ranging from immigration to health care, from hair-dos to wardrobes.
What has made this race unusual is the strong independent showing. It's a different situation and one that reflects dissatisfaction with the current state of politics in Texas.
Two gubernatorial candidates who made Amarillo College a stop on their campaign trails are independents Richard "Kinky" Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn. "Grandma" Strayhorn made a quick, short-notice stop.
The turnout for Kinky's spiel was standing-room-only in the Concert Hall Theatre. Local and statewide voter turnout should be so good.
Queuing up to vote can be less or more difficult depending on your take on the new computerized voting machines. An all-electronic system eliminates the paper ballot.
It's easier because small spaces do not have to be darkened in with a marker, a method comparable to using a Scantron form and penciling in circles for test questions. Flipping over a piece of paper to finish a ballot in Randall and Potter counties is a thing of the past.
The new electronic voting system in Randall County requires the voter to use a wheel-like dial to highlight chosen party contenders or dial to one option to vote a straight party ticket. Potter County requires the use of a touch screen voting system similar to those on ATM machines.
The changes promote a modern, "cleaned-up" method inevitable in this age of instantaneous information. Voting is made easier and electronically safe. Apathetic voters should pay attention and not throw their rights out the political window.
A newsy Web site http://www.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml will help even the most apprehensive voters. The site includes facts for student voters, frequently asked questions and the essential what/when/where information. Now, the next question: Why bother?
Elections affect everyone, young or old. A high percentage of voters turning out spreads the power of all people, not just a handful of dedicated voters. Voting shows individuals' and communities' interest in changing things that are a waste of time or maintaining what works.
It gives each responsible adult authority to decide how tax money will be spent. It's an opportunity to select candidates who will be our representatives, leaders and decision-makers, and it holds our politicians accountable.
If you don't vote, don't gripe. Mess with Texas. Vote Tuesday, Nov. 7.
The governor's race during this general election is an attention-grabber. Some of the five gubernatorial candidates have been trashing each other over issues ranging from immigration to health care, from hair-dos to wardrobes.
What has made this race unusual is the strong independent showing. It's a different situation and one that reflects dissatisfaction with the current state of politics in Texas.
Two gubernatorial candidates who made Amarillo College a stop on their campaign trails are independents Richard "Kinky" Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn. "Grandma" Strayhorn made a quick, short-notice stop.
The turnout for Kinky's spiel was standing-room-only in the Concert Hall Theatre. Local and statewide voter turnout should be so good.
Queuing up to vote can be less or more difficult depending on your take on the new computerized voting machines. An all-electronic system eliminates the paper ballot.
It's easier because small spaces do not have to be darkened in with a marker, a method comparable to using a Scantron form and penciling in circles for test questions. Flipping over a piece of paper to finish a ballot in Randall and Potter counties is a thing of the past.
The new electronic voting system in Randall County requires the voter to use a wheel-like dial to highlight chosen party contenders or dial to one option to vote a straight party ticket. Potter County requires the use of a touch screen voting system similar to those on ATM machines.
The changes promote a modern, "cleaned-up" method inevitable in this age of instantaneous information. Voting is made easier and electronically safe. Apathetic voters should pay attention and not throw their rights out the political window.
A newsy Web site http://www.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml will help even the most apprehensive voters. The site includes facts for student voters, frequently asked questions and the essential what/when/where information. Now, the next question: Why bother?
Elections affect everyone, young or old. A high percentage of voters turning out spreads the power of all people, not just a handful of dedicated voters. Voting shows individuals' and communities' interest in changing things that are a waste of time or maintaining what works.
It gives each responsible adult authority to decide how tax money will be spent. It's an opportunity to select candidates who will be our representatives, leaders and decision-makers, and it holds our politicians accountable.
If you don't vote, don't gripe. Mess with Texas. Vote Tuesday, Nov. 7.
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