Ever since I turned 18, I’ve felt voting was a vital, integral part of our Republic. My late father, however, had long since thrown in the towel. He was a post-Depression child, reared by parents who had endured the Great Depression. He lived through trials and tribulations. He grew up being told that a garden was not a luxury, but a necessity. His home in East Layton had one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen.
When it came to voting, he thought that it wasn’t worth his while, and that elected officials would soon forget their campaign promises and everything would quickly return to the status quo.
I wish I’d have know then what I know now – that through Utah’s Neighborhood Caucus and Convention System his voice would have been heard loud and clear through his neighborhood Delegates and Precinct Officers.
Now, with the 2014 General Election just around the corner, I’m reminded of my dad. I could never convince him to make the time to vote before he passed away. Now I’m turning to you.
If you are registered to vote, go and do it. If you aren’t registered to vote, get it done before tomorrow! If you haven’t sent in your mail-in ballot, find it, and cast your vote. If you don’t want to to mail it in, you don’t have to!
- You can take your completed ballot to your City Recorder before October 31st at the close of business; or
- You can take your completed ballot to the Clerk/Auditor’s office before 8pm on Election Day, November 4th.
If you don’t want to vote by mail, you don’t have to! You can return your mail-in ballot in person at any of seven voting centers before 8pm on Election Day, November 4th. (Make sure you take your mail-in ballot with you, unless you’ve misplaced it.) Or, you can vote on a voting machine, or cast a paper ballot at your closest voting center before 8pm on Election Day, November 4th.
- Bountiful Library: 725 South Main, Bountiful
- Centerville Library: 45 South 400 West, Centerville
- Farmington Community Center: 120 South Main, Farmington
- Kaysville City Hall: 562 South 1000 East, Kaysville
- Layton High School: 440 Lancer Lane, Layton
- Clearfield Library: 562 South 1000 East, Clearfield
- Syracuse Community Center: 1912 West 1900 South, Syracuse
Take a moment to think about my dad. He didn’t vote because he didn’t think his voice mattered. He was wrong. Your voice matters as long as you use it! Remaining silent by not casting your vote is the only way to ensure that your voice is not heard.
Each year my dad planted his garden. He gave it the water and nourishment it needed. At least a few times a week he was out there looking for weeds and removing them before they started to take over. The same lessons apply to good government:
- Plant the seeds of issues important to you in the minds of candidates;
- Provide nourishment through phone calls, emails, and letters to your Delegates, Precinct Officers, and elected officials; and
- Keep an eye out for weeds – pull them as quickly as possible so they don’t take over your garden.
The people on the ballot are just like your garden. If you don’t stay involved and keep on top of the issues, it will go wild and your harvest won’t be
