THE VOTER’S DUTY

Southland Times, Issue 22749, 27 November 1935, Page 6

THE VOTER’S DUTY

To-day the principal part in the election drama is undertaken by the elector, at whom all the speeches and writings have been directed during the last few weeks. The leaders issued their final exhortations yesterday and at the moment a silence can be felt in the Dominion. When the elector steps on to the stage today, he understands that the fate of the country is in his hands, and he accepts the responsibility with grave concern. Theoretically he can no longer be advised how to cast his vote, he must not be subjected to any influence in the interests of any candidate or issue while he is proceeding to the polling booth. Voting is no longer an exciting business, as it used to be where heads were counted and broken at the hustings, but it is none the less solemn, and the elector who is wise takes care that he discharges his duty to the State with as little discomfort as possible. He decides to vote early because he is then free of his responsibilities for the rest of the day, and is no longer threatened by the last minute rush. No longer is it possible for him to vote often, Hut his decision to vote early or in what are the slack hours betokens a consideration for those who are on duty at the polling booths, and reveals him as an elector who takes his duty with due solemnity.