Letter: Registration deadline near in big voting year

"What can be done about ISIS?" was the question addressed to League of Women Voters of the U.S. President Elisabeth MacNamara at a recent local League luncheon.

Her immediate reply was "vote!"

She believes voting is key to trying to solve the problems of our times. We strongly agree and believe voting for wise and effective leaders is essential whether the problem is ISIS, education, poor roads or health care.

The League urges all registered voters to become informed and show up at the polls.

In South Carolina, we'll soon have the opportunity to vote in the presidential primary of our choice. Because we do not register by party in this state, voters can vote on Feb. 20 in the Republican primary or on Feb. 27 in the Democratic primary. They cannot vote in both.

To vote, voters must be registered by Jan. 27. Information on how to register is available at www.bcgov.net or 843-255-6900. We hope all eligible citizens not previously registered exercise that right now.

Other elections in 2016 will include the special election for Beaufort County Board of Education District 2 on Feb. 2, and the Nov. 8 election for president and many state, county and town offices as well as probable referenda. There will also be primaries for some of the races.

Let's not take our right to vote for granted. Let's cherish it and exercise it, and let's be sure to be informed.

Fran Holt

Hilton Head Island

Editor's note: The writer is president of the League of Women Voters of Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Area.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 8:21 AM with the headline "Letter: Registration deadline near in big voting year."