I sometimes get consumed with A word. This word is “Abdicate” and is often defined with other words like “relinquish, discard, step aside, resign, giving up without returning”. I have been attentive to the use of this word over past months…royal wedding and the monarchy and the Congressional hearings for the Supreme Court nominee are the ones that are most relevant. This word came to mind this week as I participated in early voting – I appreciate this opportunity and do not plan to ever “abdicate” my privilege to cast my vote.
On the ballot are the usual candidate races for the various positions of Congressional, state and county leadership. Plenty of judges to cast your vote on and then there are the “heavy” items of bonds and the host of amendments to our state laws. I urge you to spend some time in reading and understanding these proposed amendments. I also think it is prudent to acknowledge that all of North Carolina living governors have exercised their expertise in registering concern with several of these amendments.
Fortunately, I had done my due diligence of reading and attempting to interpret these amendments and exercised my votes on them individually. I was pleased that all of these were not “lumped” together and allows one to make a decision on them as a stand alone item. It will and did take some extra time in the voting booth and because of this extra time and the long lines, so I hope you will go and be prepared for what is ahead.
These amendments are significant and I am also reminded of how a few words and sentences can and do make major changes to the intent of laws – supporting and weakening any law that is amended. As we, in North Carolina experienced with HB2, it literally can take “an act of Congress” to adjust or remove any part of ratified legislation. Also, as I have observed and personally experienced in the North Carolina legislature, frequently a piece of legislation may be prepared to enact and some legislator will have constituents that would like some initiative to be addressed and it will get “tacked on” to something that is totally irrelevant. This may not happen often; however, it does and has happened.
Please exercise your privilege of voting and do not abdicate your responsibility and not vote, either for or against, these amendments unless you just do not comprehend what these adjustments can and will do. As a citizen, this is the way we can send a message to our representatives. And,that is so very important for us to do more often – let our legislators know when we agree or disagree and why. Amendments should be good for all the people and in my opinion, should not be decided upon down political lines. I am fully aware many pieces of legislation become law down political positions; What is resonating with me is that these amendments do not just affect a Democrat or Republican because I know both Republicans and Democrats that “hunt and fish”.
As I have also experienced and have knowledge, these amendments will add power and privileges to our elected officials to exercise. In addition, many times these amendments can and will affect other existing laws and regulations. And, frankly, for me, I have not had a high level of confidence in elected officials at ALL levels of government who are not abdicating their responsibilities and due diligence to other agencies to enforce what is already in place.
As I said, I believe that each of these amendments stands alone and I hope you will, if you have not, read and understand the impact of these amendments. Please don’t just vote without evaluating these important issues being addressed.
The constitutional amendment language as it appears on the ballot:
- Constitutional amendment protecting the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
- Constitutional amendment to strengthen protections for victims of crime; to establish certain absolute basic rights for victims; and to ensure the enforcement of these rights.
- Constitutional amendment to reduce the income tax rate in North Carolina to a maximum allowable rate of seven percent (7%).
- Constitutional amendment to require voters to provide photo identification before voting in person.
- Constitutional amendment to change the process for filling judicial vacancies that occur between judicial elections from a process in which the Governor has sole appointment power to a process in which the people of the State nominate individuals to fill vacancies by way of a commission comprised of appointees made by the judicial, executive, and legislative branches charged with making recommendations to the legislature as to which nominees are deemed qualified; then the legislature will recommend at least two nominees to the Governor via legislative action not subject to gubernatorial veto; and the Governor will appoint judges from among these nominees.
- Constitutional amendment to establish an eight-member Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Elections Enforcement in the Constitution to administer ethics and elections law.
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