When we first started having free elections in this country, the only people eligible to vote were white free men age 21 and older who owned property. After a while, voting privileges were extended to all white free men, but that was still a very select group.
In 1870, the 15th Amendment was ratified, extending voting privileges to all free men, regardless of race.
In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, extending voting privileges to women.
In 1971, the 26th Amendment was ratified, lowering the voting age to 18.
What point am I trying to make with all this information? A lot of people campaigned long and hard to give us the voting privileges that we enjoy today. Election day is just a few days away. I hope you're just as willing to use your privilege to vote as I am. It's been said once, it's worth repeating: If you don't vote, don't complain.
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Kent Syverson
Willmar
