Perhaps one of the best indicators for a large voter turnout for the midterm election in November is not the polls that show how many intend to vote but the number of people and organizations now working to ensure that they do.
A case in point can be found in Kent County with the emergence of a local chapter of the national Your Vote Your Voice! organization; a nonpartisan group of citizens working to encourage residents in Kent County and Northern Queen Anne’s to register, become educated on issues and candidates, and become politically active.
The Spy recently sat down with one of the group’s local organizers, Katherine Maynard, to talk about Your Vote, Your Voice’s mission and its early success in having already had personal conversations with over 400 residents about making it to the voting booth or filling out an absentee ballot.
Ms. Maynard herself might also be an early indicator of the intense interest in the 2018 election. A tenured French professor at Washington College who has never been involved in a grassroots effort like this before, Katherine was motivated to become active after the 2016 election and the poor voter turnout that year.
This video is approximately three minutes in length. for more information about Your Voice Your Vote! please go here.
Thomas Sinnott says
In her interview with The Chestertown Spy, Kitty Maynard delivered an articulate, clear and badly needed message about voting.
At one time the privilege to exercise power through the vote was reserved only for male land owners. Women, African Americans and many others had no franchise and no voice on who would represent them in government. Through decades of struggle, voting has become a right for all eligible citizens.
Not only have many people have struggled; some have given their lives to ensure that the vote is for all. Now the struggle is internal, within the minds and hearts of registered voters. All eligible citizens are challenged to find the motivation and determination to exercise this privilege to speak through their vote.
Thank you Kitty for reminding us that Your Vote is Your Voice.
Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Sinnott