The right to vote, and to have the vote count There have been numerous comments from readers, many of them hostile, regarding a voter's inability to fill in the oval on the ballot. The usual response is that if they can't fill it in properly then they don't deserve to vote.
I have served as an election judge for several elections now. This past election I manned one of the roster books that voters sign to get their ballot receipt. We had several voters who were obviously disabled, and some whose disabilities were not so obvious. I had one gentleman who arrived in a wheelchair. He appeared to be quadriplegic. Maybe he physically couldn't fill in the oval. Maybe he could only X the oval. Does this mean he doesn't deserve to vote? I had an elderly women sign the roster book with great difficulty. Her fingers were bent and gnarled from arthritis. Maybe she could only underline her candidate's name. Does this mean she doesn't deserve to vote?
I would ask that people use reason and understand that not everybody is in perfect physical condition. What matters is that every eligible voter has the right to vote and have that vote count.
MEREDITH HOFFMAN, MAPLE GROVE
British electoral system has much to teach us Anyone who dares to make a disparaging remark about the value of universal suffrage or high voter turnout is likely to be labeled as some form of right-wing nut. Most observers believe that "getting out the vote" is akin to motherhood, the flag and apple pie. But is universal suffrage or high voter participation all it is cracked up to be?
One could argue that the concept contributes to the length, expense and campaign nonsense rampant in our elections. Why should the campaign endure for almost two years and cost several billion dollars? Are the inane sound bites on television of educational value or are they designed to confuse the voter? The TV ads are invariably half-truths, outright lies or bits of quotes taken out of context.
What this country needs is an informed electorate, persons knowledgeable about the issues, and who do not require aid and encouragement to get them to the polls. The parliamentary elections of our sister democracy, Great Britain, have campaigns lasting only a few weeks, cost a great deal less and are more likely attuned to the issues facing the nation. Perhaps we would benefit from some of the advantages of the British electoral system.
SEYMOUR HANDLER, EDINA