Today I exercised my right to vote and it really meant something to me. I was overcome with a sense of pride and purpose when I pressed the red button to cast my ballot. It really meant something to me because I was nearly stripped of my right to vote for the candidate of my choice in the area in which I reside.
I recently moved from one ward to another in Clearfield Borough and did not realize that the voter registration office correctly recorded my change of address but over-looked the change of voting districts. When I reported to my new polling place this morning my name did not appear on the ledger. The poll-workers were diligent in contacting the county elections office only to be told that I would have to report to my former polling place and that I would have to vote for the candidates in that ward.
After much thought, I decided to visit the elections office where I was greeted by a friendly woman who checked the records, agreed that there was an error and made a correction on my voter registration card permitting me to vote in my new ward. It was then that another individual working in the office got my attention and asked, “Why does it really matter? You are voting for all of the same offices except for borough council.” My response was, “That’s why it DOES matter.”
I was confused by this mind-set of a person working in our elections office. Why does it matter? It’s simple, I want my vote to count for someone who may be representing me. Voting is a privilege that I do not care to take for granted—and our elections office should not take for granted. Each vote counts and I want to have my say for my choice of representatives who will lead our town and in what direction.
My story ends well because I was permitted to return to my correct polling place. My thanks goes to the worker in the election office who made this possible for me today—it DOES matter.
Respectfully,
Christena L. Dahlem
Clearfield Borough