One Vote Makes A Difference

How important is one vote?

In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed. In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.

In 1800, one vote in the Electoral College gave Thomas Jefferson the presidency over Aaron Burr.

In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union. In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment. In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford D. Hayes the presidency of the United States.

In 1916, one vote won Woodrow Wilson the presidency by carrying California by less than one vote per precinct. In 1923, one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party. In 1948, one vote gave Harry Truman the presidency by carrying California by less than one vote per precinct.

In 1960 one vote per precinct in Illinois would have given Richard Nixon the presidency over John Kennedy.

Registered voters in the Fifth Congressional District, including Fulton, Williams, and Henry counties, have the opportunity to turn out in large numbers for an important special election, Tuesday, Dec. 11. Voters will decide who will complete the term of the late Paul Gillmor, a Republican congressman who died Sept. 5.

Robert Latta, Bowling Green, a Republican, and Robin Weirauch, Napoleon, a Democrat, are competing for the congressional seat.

Special elections usually do not draw large numbers of voters. If the weather isn't perfect or a registered voter is busy, it's an easy excuse not to vote.

On Monday afternoon, Fulton County absentee ballots presented a gloomy preview of possible voter turnout. Just 367 of the 706 absentee ballots had been returned to the election board office.

A total of 28,293 citizens are registered to vote in Fulton County.

Millions and millions of people in the world do not have the right to vote for government officials. More and more Americans fail to vote, but continue to criticize elected officials.

One vote makes a difference. It is your duty and obligation as an American to make your voice heard on Tuesday. Cast your ballot to elect a new representative to the US House of Representatives.

No excuses.