Citizen About Town

By Nancy C. Arcuri, Editor and Publisher

E-mail: nancyarcuri@thecitizensvoice.net

Fax: 626-307-9081

The local elections are finally over. Many voters were tired of the hundreds of political flyers and phone calls they received requesting that they support this candidate or that candidate.

The city clerks are still busy counting the provisions ballots filled out at polling places by voters who did not realize that they were at the wrong polling place.  The cities have complied several precincts into one to save time and space.

Many residents are no longer willing to have strangers use their garages as local polling places. Some cities had trouble locating polling places and used city facilities, churches and local schools.

A new law on the books now requires any vote by mail ballot be counted if it is post marked the same date as the Election Day.

This new law does support the theory that every vote does count in an election.

This new law also has delayed the final vote count on so many races that were to close to call.  You should check with your city clerk’s office for the final vote count that must be validated by your City Council, School Board, County Board of Supervisors or the County Registrar/Recorder to be legal.

Many cities, counties and school boards retained their incumbents while others added new candidates to try to improve their city, county or schools.

Yes, the United States of America is the greatest country in the world. We have the freedom to vote or not to vote without paying a penalty.

The voter turnout has been going downhill with each election, as more and more Americans do not make an effort to have a voice in their government.

This is a very sorry state of affairs for a country with a history of generations of Americans who fought and died for our personal freedoms that include free speech, religious freedom and the right to vote in our elections.

It seems that most people are so entwined with their cell phones, I-pads and other electronic devices that maybe the Federal Government should develop an “APP” to help people vote in the various elections.

When I campaigned in Monterey Park against Measure FF (Fire Department Going County) I walked my local precinct and was shocked by the number of residents who were not registered voters.

I remember having to wait until I was 21 years old to register to vote.  I proudly registered to vote. I was finally a legal adult in 1967 who could vote.

I was raised in the old school by parents and teachers who impressed on us the importance of participating in our government by voting.

Yet, today many eligible American citizens do not bother to enjoy the freedom to vote and voice their opinions about our government.

I wonder if these same Americans will miss their freedoms if our great country falls into enemy hands.

Many military members and their families want to remind you “Freedom is not Free” as they mourn for their injured and lost loved ones.

Please remember to keep our military members and our allies in your thoughts and prayers in this time of peril in our world as we enter the Easter and Passover Season.