Letter: Citizens have responsibility to vote

Wednesday’s Herald published a letter from a writer who stated that it was her right to not vote for all sorts of reasons. She is absolutely correct. The beauty of a free society is not only the ability to do most of what you want to do, but the ability not to do things also.

However, what the writer fails to note or acknowledge, is that along with rights in a free society, members of that society also have responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is to exercise your right to vote. Free societies work best when its members are engaged and participating in the serious business of governance.

This nation has a very poor record of voter turnout and people like the letter writer, display an alarming disregard for a major responsibility.

I find that sad.

Phil Bate

Lynnwood