“In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate – look to his character. . . . When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor, he betrays the interest of his country.”
This quote is attributed to Noah Webster, written in 1823 in his Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education: to which is subjoined a Brief History of the United States. It is perhaps both ironic and with great foresight that Webster wrote this just a few years before settlers began arriving at the site that would first be known as Bethlehem (later, Carmel) Indiana.
Webster’s quote is perhaps as true today as ever. With a week left to register to vote in the upcoming May 7th municipal primary election, incumbents of every stripe are counting on you to stay home from the polls. This is why in many campaigns, you are not seeing incumbents enthusiastically going door to door as their challengers are. They want you to think your vote doesn’t matter — all while mobilizing their small-but-energetic bases to vote in blocs and push the incumbents message via social media and local print media advertising.
Prove them wrong and make your voice heard!
It is no exaggeration that brave men and women across many generations have fought and died to protect your right to vote. To honor their sacrifice, it is your duty and obligation as a citizen to exercise that right to vote.
If you have not already registered to vote, or have moved to your current place of residence since the last election, please take a moment to do so today. Also, please make sure each person in your household that is at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen also registers to vote. If you already have a valid Indiana driver license, you may simply use the convenience of online voter registration at https://indianavoters.in.gov. Or, you can also print out and complete a Voter Registration Form, complete it and turn it in at any local BMV license branch, the City of Carmel Clerk-Treasurer’s Office on the third floor at 1 Civic Square, or the Hamilton County Voter Registration Office, in the lower level of the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center in Noblesville.
Once you are registered, please take a moment to confirm that your registration is current and know where your polling place is. Check online at https://indianavoters.in.gov and select ‘Check Voting Status’. It’s that easy and will save you a nasty surprise at your polling place on election day.
Finally, remember to vote! As in past elections, Hamilton County offers in-person early voting at select locations beginning Wednesday, April 24th — including the Carmel Clay Public Library, 55 4th Street SE in Carmel. You may also apply to vote via absentee ballot. Information on these options are available on the Hamilton County Election Office website at Absentee and Early Voting Don’t forget your photo ID!
It is not enough to cast your own vote. Each of us as engaged Carmel citizens needs to engage our Carmel friends and neighbors and also encourage them to register and vote. Even a tiny ant understands that a task that is very difficult to achieve alone can be made much easier when a group is mobilized and is amazingly easy to achieve when an entire community becomes engaged!
brought to you by our friends at Essayists of Carmel, Indiana
