Speak Up: The Power of Voting and Letting Your Voice Be Heard with Paul Bruning

Hard to believe how times flies by and here we are in another Presidential Election year. The right to vote starts with Article 1 of the Constitution, giving States the responsibility of overseeing Federal elections. Since that time, several amendments and laws have been implemented to protect individuals voting rights.

Major amendments to the Constitution include:

• 15th Amendment (1870) provided for voting rights for African American males.  
• 19th Amendment (1920) stipulated voting rights for American women.  
• 26th Amendment (1971) lowered the voting age for all elections to 18 years of age.  

Several Federal laws have been passed to protect American’s right to vote and to improve ease of exercising the right to vote. At the same time States have enacted voting laws that some have seen as restricting individuals’ ability to vote and include such things as ID requirements for voting access.
 
To find your States voting ID requirements go to: 
https://www.usa.gov/voter-id  
 
To find your polling (voting) locations go to: 
https://www.usa.gov/find-polling-place  
 
Voting is something that we may take for granted. It is an essential part of our democratic process and permits everyone a voice. It is your individual opportunity to vote for or against those seeking election based on their performance and or political platforms. To prepare for voting educate yourself on the candidates and what they believe in and state as their political platforms. Find out what State Constitutional Amendments or Policies might be on the election ballot. Being prepared and educating yourself is the voter’s responsibility for taking part in this special process. Many people have died for the right to vote and to maintain that right.  
 
Educate yourself on the policies and candidates in this year’s election. Fulfill your hard fought for rights by getting out and voting. If you do not vote, then do not complain about who is elected. This is your opportunity to influence who represents you.  
 
Get out and Vote!!