The vote – it’s a privilege for which men and women have fought and died.

Tuesday, November 07, 2000

The vote – it’s a privilege for which men and women have fought and died.

It was just last year when 98. 6 percent of registered voters in East Timor went to the polls to vote for independence. In the following days, while the United Nations began to count the ballots, Indonesian-backed violence escalated and thousands of civilians fled to the hills and mountains. Violence erupted in the country as the U.N. announced that 78.5 percent had voted for independence.

What a powerful message – that in the midst of violence, citizens took advantage of their only real opportunity to make their voices heard. Some of those citizens likely paid for that privilege with their lives.

Americans face no threats when they go to the polls, yet a record low turnout is expected today. In 1996, less than half voted in the presidential election. Just more than a third turned out for the 1998 congressional elections.

Voting is a privilege that far too many – almost the majority – of Americans take for granted.

It’s important to remember that it wasn’t too long ago that blacks and women were granted the right to vote.

Take advantage of the privilege given to you by the blood, sweat and tears of those who came before us. Vote today.