Ehrlich on Washington column, March 13, 2000

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of March 13, 2000 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Exercising Your Right French chronicler Alexis de Tocqueville toured the United States in the 1830s and was so struck by young America’s strong civic participation and democratic practices that he wrote a two- volume book called Democracy in America. He marveled at the deep community roots and unwavering sense of civic and patriotic duty America seemed to embody. His description of America is an ideal toward which we should work. Last Tuesday, 16 states, including Maryland, offered their citizens the chance to vote in primaries and caucuses around the country. In Maryland, we selected our nominees for President, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and other local offices. Despite the amazing opportunity to select our local and national leaders, less than 40% of registered Maryland voters cast their ballots. This percentage of participation is not just in Maryland but nationwide. When Americans, especially young people, do not participate, elections become less and less like our nation’s forefathers’ model of a free representative political system. In other democratic countries such as Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark, residents take full advantage of their basic right to vote. In these countries, over 80% of the adult population vote compared to under 40% in the U.S. It is incumbent upon elected officials to encourage greater participation. We should vote because this is our chance to influence the political direction of our local, state, and federal governments. Voting establishes the national agenda, for example: tax relief, Social Security protection, veterans benefits protection, education spending, and environmental policy. These issues touch all of us, and we have the right and responsibility to express our opinions at the ballot box. It is not too late to get involved and perform your patriotic duty before the November 7, General Election Day. In order to vote, you first must register. The process is simple, and if you are not registered there is still time before the October 13, 2000 deadline for the Maryland General Election. I urge unregistered Marylanders to call or email the State Board of Elections for a voter application: (410) 269-2840 or www.elections.state.md.us/contact.htm.