It’s down to the final hours.

Monday, November 06, 2000

It’s down to the final hours. When you wake up in the morning, you can go to the polls and cast your ballot in the 2000 General Election.

When the curtain closes, you will be participating in one of the most important acts in which a citizen of these United States can take part.

Yet, over the years, only a percentage of those registered to vote have responded to that act. In other words, voter turnout has never been 100 percent.

In fact, it’s a rare event when turnout reaches the halfway mark.

In the 1996 General Election, the last time we elected a president, about half the states scored turnout levels at 50 percent or above. Ohio turnout ranked at 54 percent. Kentucky came in at 47 percent and West Virginia earned 45 percent. Maryland posted the highest turnout, 72 percent, while Montana and South Dakota came next at 62 percent and Minnesota can boast of its 60 percent turnout.

This year, let’s muster at the polls and give the statistics new meaning.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, in every state, nearly 100 percent of the eligible voters came to the polls to cast their opinion on who should lead our country, states and local governments?

Yes, that might be an ideal thought, but it’s not impossible.

All it takes is a short trip, a small wait in line, and a decision at the ballot box.

We can do it Tuesday.