Letter to the Editor

LETTERS: THE PRIVILEGE OF VOTING

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To the editor:

The town meeting moderated by Secretary of State Bekki Cook concerning the election and voting process was a learning experience for me. Rather than a partisan focus, sound information was shared concerning our privilege, the vote. The tone was one of encouragement for us all that an individual's vote does matter at the polls and in the process.

Your newspaper coverage and follow-up of the two-hour event was both informative and good reading. However, some mention might have been made of the five-person panel who spoke in the first hour. In their various local community roles, they gave outstanding presentations of firsthand knowledge and support of the voting privilege and practice. Pat Abernathy, Jackson, told of her service at the polls as an election judge for 25 years. County Clerk Rodney Miller presented insights into the logistics and recordkeeping of the election process. Brenda Wommel, teacher of social studies at Central High School, encourages the young people in her classes to claim their privilege and someday exercise the right. League of Women Voters member Eileen Steinberg presented an overview of the League's services to the voting public. Russell Renka, political science professor at Southeast Missouri State University, had at hand voting statistics and facts to share.

The evening was quality and first-class. We should have more community town meetings.

MARILYN RITTER, Public Relations

League of Women Voters

Cape Girardeau