Montana should have a voice too

To the Editor:

Did you cast your vote on Super Tuesday? Did you exercise your right as an American citizen to vote for who you would like your party's nominee to be for President of the United States of America? Neither did I! But not by choice.

I wondered in years past why I never seemed to know when I was to vote in the early preliminary elections, but this year I was paying attention. There was Montana on the big CNN map for Super Tuesday. The day that would probably decide who would run in the national elections for President. When my absentee ballot never arrived, I started to make phone calls. Finally my call was returned the morning of Feb. 5.

I was informed that I couldn't vote. I was told that I, a United States citizen, born and raised in Montana, could not vote. I was told that in Montana only elected officials and committee members could vote! What!? It's pretty white out there, but I thought Montana was still a state in the good-old USA, not in the midst of Siberia. I am outraged and you should be too.

I am not a good public speaker, and I have no intentions of running for office of any kind, but I like politics. The presidential race is my Olympics. I avidly watch all the other primaries and caucuses. I was looking forward to voting my principles. Perhaps my choice didn't stand a chance of winning, but at this stage, I as a citizen of the United States could vote my principles. In November, I will cast my vote for Mr. or Mz. Bad or Worse. But at this stage of the contest I thought I could vote for who stood for my beliefs.

I was told I could attend and discuss my issues with those who would be voting. This morning I didn't have any issues. I just wanted to vote. Now I have an "issue."

I hope our elected officials will rise to the challenge and that Montana can rejoin the USA. They say more people vote on American Idol than for President of the United States. Maybe there is a reason for that. You: fellow ranchers, loggers, teachers, secretaries, miners, housewives and parents, fellow citizens of Montana, let your voice be heard on this issue. There are four more years to make a difference.

Donna Keenen

Troy