Publicado el 07-31-2012
Voter Responsibility
Voting is a right of the Citizens and as such comes with obligations. A Vote is secret and should only be deposited by the voter who is registered to do so. The clearest example of this is that when a person goes to vote at a precint, after being duly identified, he goes into the voting booth by himself.
In the last few days there have been reports in Miami-Dade County about individuals who visit those who vote with absentee ballots to help them fill their ballots and who, it seems, also take the ballots away themselves.
Absentee ballots are sent by mail before the elections to voters who because of age or physical disabilities find it difficult to vote in person, or to voters who plan to be away on election day and want to vote before. These ballots must be filled and signed only by the voter and sent back by mail to the Elections Department by the voter. A ballot that is blank or already filled should not be given to anyone to take care of things that only the registered voter can do. Doing this is a lack of civic responsibility and also is a crime.
When a voter receives his ballot, he should study it carefully to see who the candidates are. If he is not sure about who would be the best or the least bad, he could consult with some close friend who is well informed, but he should never allow that person to fill his ballot or to take it to be mailed. These things should be done only by the voter.
Everyone must be conscious that voting is something serious and the only way that a citizen has to participate in the government. Some elections are decided by just a few votes. That is why it is so important that voters be responsible when casting their votes. Buying or selling votes is a crime punishable by law.
It is a crime to prostitute one’s duty to vote. Anyone who votes in an irresponsible way is giving up his right as a citizen which is, also, a serious obligation. Not fulfilling this obligation is to violate a substantial duty for the community in the different jurisdictions inherent to citizenship.
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