To the editor 鈥 I can remember how excited I was to register to vote on my 21st birthday. I would like to think many of you had similar feelings. My desire to vote in all elections has never waned.

Here in our county voting turnout is not worthy of our population. We can turn it around and be proud of our voting record. Why don鈥檛 we have a good turnout? You don鈥檛 even need a stamp. The one thing all of us have in common is our right to vote.

Over our 250 years as a country, we have heard many wise words we should heed: Ben Franklin, concerning our civic responsibility wrote about our republic 鈥渋f you can keep it.鈥 President Kennedy鈥檚 question resonates today: 鈥淎sk what you can do for your country.鈥

So now I am writing about what you can do. Prior to receiving your ballot become informed, read about the candidates, go to events where they speak, talk to people, keeping an open mind, and consider if candidates鈥 values match yours. When you get your ballot for our primary in July, mail it in or take it to one of many drop boxes. Then you can proudly say I care so much about our country I voted.

BETTY VAN RYDER

Yakima

黑料福利社 opinion section glossary

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Editorials reflect the opinion of the newspaper鈥檚 editorial board and are meant to offer perspective, raise questions or advocate for change.

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While news articles aim to present facts without bias, opinion columns offer fact-based individual perspectives.