VOL. XIX, NO. 9

Throughout the past few weeks many of us have heard a great deal concerning the primary elections. Two days ago many Americans had the privilege to express their choices for political candidates. For the past few years a small percentage of Maine West students have also been able to cast their votes in elections. Since the late sixties a growing amount of people do not cast their ballots in either elections. Many people feel that their vote will not have an effect on the outcome of the election. However, if a majority of the eligible voters take this attitude, an effect will be evident after the election takes place. This negative attitude toward voting is wrong since every person who selects a particular person for a certain office does so along with many others.

For the past few years 18 year olds have had the privilege to vote. Not only is it the responsibility of the 18 year olds to vote, it is the responsibility of all citizens to vote for and elect our leaders. Many complaints have been made about the quality of leaders yet these complaints are made by people who do not even bother to take the time to vote. It surely seems ridiculous.

The vote which we cast in either the primary or general election provides us with a means of expressing our opinion in the selecting of our leaders. Voting is a privilege that we are given and a privilege that we should exercise.