The ability to cast a ballot — and have it count — is a freedom that protects the other fundamental freedoms that we as Americans hold dear. Voters in the U.S., regardless of socioeconomic status, possess the power to hold their elected representatives accountable for their decisions, some of which are life-altering.
Our system of government works best when there is an informed electorate. In a constitutional republic, there is always the danger that the electorate may be poorly informed about issues or candidates due to the proliferation of alternative facts, lack of objectivity in the press due to state or corporate control, lack of access to news and political media. Freedom of speech may even be curtailed by the state by favoring certain viewpoints or state propaganda.
According to Idaho’s library laws, it is the policy of the state of Idaho to promote the establishment and development of public library service for all the people in Idaho in order to assure an informed electorate by enabling the provision of local library service, in the present and in the future, to children in their formative years, and to adults for their continuing education. By so declaring, the state acknowledges that the ability of its citizens to access information has a critical impact on the state’s educational success, economic development, provision for an informed electorate, and overall quality of life.
If you have not yet registered to vote, don’t panic. Here are some resources that will make registering to vote nearly painless.
Voting To Do List
- Check to See if You Are Registered to Vote
- Register to Vote if You Haven’t Already Done So
- Check Your Voter Registration Deadline
- Request Your Mail-In Ballot by October 23
- Send in Your Ballot ASAP so it will be received by Election Day (11/3)
- If You Miss Mail-In Voting, Check Your Local Polling Location for Election Day
- Remember that You Rock Because You Voted
- Check out the ICfL’s new Adult Services Page for additional voter resources!
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
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