Joe Uecker

State Representative

09/01/06

Strengths of our Nation:

Having celebrated this Labor Day with picnics and family gatherings it made me think about what are some very important concepts we share here in the United States.  For more than 100 years, our country has celebrated the hard work of its citizens.  It was in 1894 that Congress enacted legislation that created Labor Day memorializing a special day that we can show our appreciation and give thanks to the millions of Americans who work hard each and every day improving our communities.  In addition to the material goods we enjoy thanks to our labor force, we pass from generation to generation the very virtues that founded this great nation; hard work, strength, and determination.

Another important concept of our nation is the idea of democracy.  It is the idea that we as individuals have an actual say in our government. As a nation of individuals we are self governing.  We have the right and privilege to vote.  For more than 225 years the freedom and stability of our nation has been maintained through the democratic process. Voting is an easy process to take for granted and it sometimes seems that many Americans have forgotten about the responsibility and significance of voting.

Voting is ridiculously easy to do in this country and especially in our state.  First you must register. You can register at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles office, any public or vocational school, any public library and even at the county treasurer’s office.  Of course, you can also stop in and visit the really nice folks at the County Board of Elections (they had candy on the counter when I stopped by last month).  For the internet savvy, you can go to the Secretary of State’s website (www.sos.state.oh.us) and download a printable form to register with.  In Ohio you must be registered to vote at least 30 days before an election.  If not, I can only urge you to use one of the steps I have mentioned above and register to vote before the registration deadline of October 8.

For some going to the polls on Election Day is a very real inconvenience and in some cases an impossibility.  This year, the legislature took measures to provide Ohioans with a more convenient way to vote.  Any voter may now request to vote by absentee ballot without stating a justification for doing so as was required in the past. An application for an absentee ballot can be obtained in person at the elections office or by submitting a written request, or by visiting the Secretary of State’s website.

The new guidelines and requirements were important steps to make our election process both efficient and fair.  It is a difficult and fine line to balance between an accurate and fair process and the need for a system that is clear and convenient so voters will actually come and vote.

Democracy is a very fragile form of government and can sometimes be difficult.  But really, how hard is it to go and vote?  Inconvenient may, but not too difficult.

We Americans enjoy many opportunities that others around the world do not.  This is a right that was guaranteed by the blood and written words of our forefathers.  Let’s not let their “inconveniences” have been in vain, be sure you are registered and be sure to vote.

Joe Uecker

State Representative

Ohio’s 66 District

Representing Batavia, Goshen, Miami and Union Townships as well as the Cities of Loveland and Milford and the Villages of Batavia and Amelia. 

Columbus Phone: 614-466-8134

Email:   Joe@JoeUecker.com

Website: http://JoeUecker.com