Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

To the Editor:

We all know that the upcoming election will be remarkably different from any other in most of our lives. Please allow me to offer my earnest suggestions to every eligible Beaufort County voter.

First: make certain that your voter registration is accurate and active. Then: vote like your country depends on you to help end our divisive chaos. Vote like your country needs you to help stop the lying, bullying, voter suppression and incompetence. Vote like you are committed to equality and fairness. Vote to restrict greed and end hatred. Vote like you know your vote will make the election fair, safe and honest. Vote like you honor the dedicated work of others who gave so much to protect your right to vote.

There are people who don’t want you to vote by mail working very hard to prevent that. If you choose to vote by mail, be very careful to follow every rule correctly and seek help early if you need. Request your absentee ballot as soon as you decide to vote by mail. Make sure you mail your ballot at least five days before it is due on Nov. 3, because the post office might be delayed making deliveries.

If you choose to vote in person, be sure to know the poll times and that you have transportation; help others find rides. Vote as early as you find the best for you. Vote like you know that your vote has never meant so much before. Be safe; wear your mask; and keep your social distance from others. Only deal with qualified election officials.

Whether in person or by mail, vote like you are proud and determined to exercise one of your very most important constitutional rights. Congressman John Lewis wrote, just before he died: “Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed.”

If this offering is chosen for publication in the WDN, consider cutting it out or printing it from the digital edition and placing it on your refrigerators as a daily reminder until you have cast your ballots in the November election.

Please do not skip voting. We need each other to do the right thing.

 

Jeffrey Barker

Washington