Opinion: Vote to make your voices heard
California is in the throes of a special election to decide if Governor Gavin Newsome will be allowed to complete his term of office or be turned out, a la Gray Davis in 2003. Voters are also invited to select Newsome’s replacement from a field of 46 candidates, if the recall is successful.
When Governor Davis was removed from office, he was replaced by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In the present field of candidates, there is not anyone as high profile as Schwarzenegger was in 2003.
Fred and I have already cast our ballots and will have to wait to see how this election shakes out.
I have no interest in telling or advising anyone on how to vote in this election. The important thing is to please make your voices heard and vote.
Every registered voter should have received a ballot by mail at their listed address. Ballots must be returned to the Madera Government Center by 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Simply, drop the postage prepaid ballot in its signed blue envelope, in the mail. Ballots can be submitted in person at any of the Vote Centers located throughout the county.
These Vote Centers offer ballots and language assistance in English, Spanish and Punjabi.
They can be found at the Madera County Government Lobby, 400 West 4th Street, Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 4258, City of Chowchilla Council Chambers, 130 South 2nd Street, Liberty High School Theater, 12220 Road 36 in the Madera Ranchos; Foothill Church Sanctuary, 45543 Road 415 in Coarsegold, Pan Am Community Center Gymnasium, 703 Sherwood Way in Madera and the Madera County Superintendent of Schools Conference Room 1, 1105 South Madera Avenue.
Ballot Drop Boxes have been deployed 24-hours-a-day, since Aug. 17 and will remain available until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
These are located at the Madera County Government Center, Satellite Government Center, 40232 Junction Drive in Oakhurst, City of Chowchilla Civic Center, Ranchos Library, 37398 Berkshire Drive in the Madera Ranchos and the North Fork Tribal Office, 33143 Road 222 in North Fork.
Anyone who has not received a ballot should contact the Madera County Registrar of Voters’ office at 675-7720 or Toll free 800-435-0509.
On foreign soil citizens of those lands fight and die for the right to vote. It has been a basic American right for men since 1788 according to Google. Women were late to the dance earning our right to vote in 1920. While our election system has drawn criticism for some of its flaws it is still the greatest system in the country on the planet.
This weekend is the Madera District Fair. All the things that draw people to this great small-town tradition are waiting for us. The sights, the smells and connecting with old friends is why the Madera Fair is famous. After last year’s cancellation due to COVID, it will be good to relax, enjoy the food, see the exhibits and dance to the various bands. Hope to see you there!
Long days and pleasant nights, have a blessed weekend.
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Readers may contact Tami Jo Nix by emailing tamijonix@gmail.com or following @TamiJoNix on Twitter.
