Dear editor:

In just a few weeks, the Alabama primary election will take place and I’ll confess, I haven’t decided which candidate will get my vote.

I do know for whom I will not vote. I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I am an Independent. Voting for a Republican won’t make me a member of that party.

Millions of Americans don’t vote at all, mistakenly believing their vote won’t make a difference. They would be surprised to know how many here in Covington County feel the same.

Go by the newspaper office and pick up a copy of the lists of inactive voters.

Several years ago, I went through the entire list (there were more than 10,000 names) of inactive voters in Covington County, and found 134 names of people I knew personally. Seven of them were of my immediate family.

If all 50 states had the same average of inactive voters, the estimate would be 22 million people through the United States who are not exercising t heir privilege of choice. Maybe this country is in the shape we see it in because of those who could have voted.

Some people say their vote doesn’t count … you’ll be surprised what just one vote can do. Years ago, this very thought-provoking message from the Wisconsin Genealogical Council, was taped to the board of registrars’ counter.

It said, “How much is one vote worth? If ever you are tempted not to vote in any election, remember this:

“In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control over England; in 1649, one vote caused Charles I to be executed; in 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German; in 1933, one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership in the Nazi Party.”

Your vote does count. It may be the one that will decide for the candidate who will keep his promise and make America the Christian nation it once was.

 

Mabel Coleman

Andalusia