Early voting empowers voters

The first time I ever “voted” I was seven.

My grandmother had taken me with her to our local polling station in my hometown, a fire hall. I still remember the slanting morning light from within our booth and how big the voting machine looked to me. She’d written her choices on a piece of yellow notepaper that she withdrew from her pocketbook, carefully made her selections and then instructed me to take hold of the lever. Holding hands, we cast her ballot together.

I don’t actually remember whom “we” voted for – of course, knowing her, it was definitely George W. Bush – but I do remember feeling ecstatic when I left the booth and went with her to collect stickers and a cookie from the poll-worker’s table. It was my first exposure to voting and it felt like a party: everyone was happy, everyone was smiling and there were so many treats and fun things to see. It is probably, in some small way, why I still feel a bit giddy when I get to go into a voting booth, and make a point to always bring coffee or fresh donuts to my poll workers as a thank you.

Early voting began Tuesday this week and I am, appropriately, on something of a sugar high from it. I’m genuinely looking forward to voting in Wyoming for the first time and do plan to take advantage of this period, and I hope that our readers will, too.

The expansion of voting from just one day to the 28 days preceding the primary election enfranchises voters and gives people who traditionally might not have the opportunity to vote on Election Day the chance to make their voices heard. Life in the 21st century is vastly different to what it was 40 or 70 years ago, and for many Americans the option to stand in a long line after an 8- or 12-hour workday is untenable. The average shift workers making minimum wage are what makes this country great, and they deserve every opportunity to have a voice in their own governance. Without that, our democracy becomes fragile and at risk of failure.

But early voting also just makes everyone’s lives simpler, including our Election Day poll workers and volunteers. The Brennan Center at NYU notes that with less stress on the system, poll-worker performance improves, and there are consistently shorter lines on Election Day. It also allows our county clerks, who oversee our elections, to catch any administrative errors with voter registration or system glitches. In other words, it makes our democracy stronger and better protects our electoral system. 

Please get out and vote, and tell everyone you know to get out and vote. It’s a rare gift that we have been given to control our collective destiny and every election matters.

Ensure These Stories Are Told

Despite the challenges facing independent local journalism, what sustains us — and fills us with deep gratitude — is the loyal support of readers who believe our communities deserve accurate, trusted, and locally rooted news.

It is no exaggeration to say that we are here because of you. Every story we report, every local issue we follow, every public meeting we cover, and every community voice we lift up is made possible by readers who understand the value of an independent newspaper.

Your support does more than fund articles. It helps protect the independence that allows us to report honestly, ask important questions, and keep our community informed without fear or favor.

If you are able, please consider supporting the News Letter Journal by donating to our Unabridged Fund today. Whether your gift helps cover reporting time, printing costs, video, photography, editing, or distribution, every contribution helps keep local journalism strong in Wyoming.

All gifts are deeply appreciated. Your support helps ensure that local stories continue to be told, local decisions continue to be watched, and local voices continue to be heard.

Thank you for standing with independent community journalism.