Perhaps you feel like I do at this point....the world is a mess.  Watching what is unfolding in Israel and Gaza is a real question of humanity.  It’s hard to watch and hard to understand how any human being can execute such appalling crimes against humanity.  Support for Ukraine is wavering not only in our country but other key allies as well.  China appears to be hinting of aggressive action toward Taiwan.  

Our country is a mess.  In a time of world crisis, our government is paralyzed by a House majority that can’t elect a speaker capable of performing the duties required to pass legislation desperately needed.  I hear Republican congressmen, including our own Glenn Thompson, blame the Democrats for siding with the 8 Republicans who voted against Kevin McCarthy.  Apparently they expect the Democrats to bail them out for their own doings.  How about FIVE republicans voting with the Democrats to elect Hakeem Jeffries as speaker and start stabilizing the country and perhaps even the world.  Is the chaos in Washington contributing to the terrorist and aggressive actions around the world?  

It feels like everything spinning out of control is beyond anything we can do even though our hearts ache for innocent people including babies being massacred and tortured.  We don’t want to live in a world like this.  We don’t want to live in a country with a government that can’t function.  What will the next terrorist attack look like and where will it be?

The only power we have is our vote.  I know that might sound “pollyannish”, but when you put us all together it is a moving force.  2024 is going to be BIG.  It will be a huge election with many consequences.  But we can’t wait until November 2024.  We need to act now.  We need to show that we are serious about our voice being heard.  In an odd year election if we get 40% of the voters to actually vote, it is considered a success.  During a presidential election it is usually 80% and above.  Yet what will be determined by this election will also have huge consequences to us in Potter County and in Pennsylvania.  And it will speak to the rest of the country.

The Democratic candidates on the 2023 ballot offer the best chance to save our democracy from becoming what is happening in other countries.  The chaos in Washington once again shows us how close we are to the edge of falling apart.  Our government is literally at a standstill at a time when major decisions and action are needed.  That shouldn’t be happening in the USA.

And it could come to Pennsylvania....to Potter County if we don’t elect the right people to govern us.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE. AND VOTE CAREFULLY

Thank you.....any questions please contact me at lklingaman@mac.com. I would be happy to hear from you and answer any questions I can. We care about our democracy. Join us in assuring it remains the rule of the land. We invite Independents and moderate Republicans to join us in this effort. It no longer is a fight for party, it’s a fight for freedom and liberty for ALL.

Linda Klingaman

Potter County Democratic Committee Chair

How to RESEARCH the candidates on YOUR ballot before you VOTE

Step 1 Get YOUR sample ballot

FYI, in “local election years” like this one, ballots will be very specific to your address and polling place/voting precinct because we have township/municipal positions and school board candidates running in some precincts and not in others (see reverse side). Two ways:

• Visit your COUNTY PARTY office or website. Sample ballots prepared by your Party will be available closer to the November 7th General Election, but in the meantime, you will be able to see all the County-wide and State-wide candidates who are running to represent your Party (and find links to these candidate’s websites and social media pages). If you call the office, staff can direct you to the party officials who manage your local voting precinct, and those folks can identify the local candidates you will see on your ballot. Here are websites:

1. Democrats: https://pottercountydemocrats.com

2. Republicans: No website available

• Potter County Voter Services will have “specimen ballots”. About a month before the November 7th General election, you will be able to find the ballot for your precinct/polling place here: https://pottercountypa.net/post.php?pid=8

Step 2 Identify issues of importance or concern to YOU

Examples: Public Education, Civil Rights, Gun Safety, Crime, Taxes, Environment, Election Integrity, Reproductive Rights

Step 3 Look up each candidate and read their background and views on the issues

• First read a brief description of what each position does, on the reverse side

• Google each candidate on your sample ballot to find their campaign websites and social media pages, where you can learn about the candidate’s background and views.

• Your Party’s website (see links above) will provide hyperlinks to the County and State-wide candidates’ websites and social media pages

• Look for EVENTS where candidates will be speaking. These are your opportunities to size people up and to ask questions about the issues you most care about!

• Be sure to read up on the other Party’s candidates as well

“We don’t have government by the people. We have government by the people WHO PARTICIPATE” – Thomas Jefferson

YOUR VOTE MATTERS

Prepared by Chester County Marching Forward and edited for Potter County