Well, Friday was the beginning of early voting in the State of Virginia, and I am pleased that I was one of the first to vote. In fact, I was the 154th voter in Montgomery County. I feel good about that. The thing about voting early is there are no crowds, no lines. I walked right in and they checked my ID, gave me the ballot, I walked to a private enclosure, voted and put my vote in a machine and walked out. No hassle, no problems; we’re talking 10 minutes. Who doesn’t have ten minutes for their country?
We are lucky in this country to have the opportunity to have our voice heard. Even when I was in Vietnam in the middle of nowhere, a helicopter landed, an officer got off and dispatched voting ballots. It made me feel I was special, that I counted. Even 60 years later I still remember that day. I felt if I could vote then I can do it now.
Early voting will continue until Oct. 31. In Montgomery County, voters can early vote at 1546 Franklin St. in Christiansburg, next to Food Lion. The election office will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of Columbus Day.
Early voters can vote on two Saturdays and one Sunday – Saturday, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, and Sunday, Oct. 18.
Another thing the federal and state governments are doing is mail in ballots. I didn’t think that was necessary until I started getting old. Today so many individuals live in nursing homes, or they are confined in their homes with no transportation. These are people who want to be part of their country and this is their little way they can support the country that they have lived in for so many years.
We all need to be responsible for the laws, rules and individuals that direct the county. Don’t miss your chance, and remember Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3 – polls will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This mid-term election will have a major effect on the country for the coming years. We cannot be intimidated.
