Proof that your one vote counts

The Moses Lake School Bond passed officially Friday February 24, with a very small margin. For the last few months, I had been encouraging everyone to vote yes for the school bond and our kids. I specially wanted to urge the young people to vote.

In talking with them, I got the impression they thought their one vote wouldn’t make a difference. This school bond issue sure shot that theory down, as it was a four-vote difference at one point.

I’m not exactly sure when Washington state started mailing out our ballots — but, I do remember before. Second Tuesday of November, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. People actually had to go to their polling place (mine was Peninsula School) where local volunteers manned the official voters’ registration books. The volunteers verified who you were, you signed the book by your registered name and then went into the booth and pulled the lever for each of your choices.

Now we have the luxury of voting while in our own homes and popping it in the mail or dropping in a local ballot box — as long as it is postmarked before or on the deadline date. How difficult is that?

My mother, a Swedish immigrant, came to America in 1929. She became a citizen, registered to vote, and never missed voting in any election. She passed in her 90s.

November 1960, Tacoma, cold, rainy weather, election day — Hannah, my husband’s grandmother, got off the bus coming from work. Went to polling place to vote. Then walked 8-9 blocks home in the pouring rain. She was born in 1898.

I tell my kids and grandkids they have a responsibility to know the issues, the candidates and vote. Not only because it’s their duty, but I will never let them forget it if they don’t, plus we owe it to all those who have come before.

Joan Green

Moses Lake