ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mayor Matt Tuerk and Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong delivered passionate pleas to "get out and vote" at a Wednesday news conference.
They were joined by representatives of AARP, as well as the nonpartisan League of Women Voters.
Tuerk began his remarks by acknowledging that voter turnout is on the decline in Allentown and expressed that it's a concern to him.
"It's a communal act. It is a declaration that we're part of something much larger than ourselves in a city like Allentown, it's connection to our neighbors, it's a connection to the people in our community and to our broader society. And when we, when we engage in that event, that act of voting, we're stepping outside of our individual lives, and becoming part of something greater."Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, on voting
"It's an indication of something more significant, which is this lack of participation in our lives, a lack of engagement with our communities," Tuerk said. "Because voting is, in fact, more than simply a civic duty."
"It's a communal act. It is a declaration that we're part of something much larger than ourselves in a city like Allentown, it's a connection to our neighbors, it's a connection to the people in our community and to our broader society.
"And when we, when we engage in that event, that act of voting, we're stepping outside of our individual lives, and becoming part of something greater."
Tuerk also acknowledged that most Allentown residents are relatively new to the city — with 70%, according to his math, moving to town in the past 15 years.
"Sometimes it may seem like the traditions aren't there," Tuerk said, before saying that voting is among the most important traditions for the city.
Tuerk's sentiments were echoed by Armstrong, who delivered information on how and where to vote.
'We don't care who you vote for, just vote!'
Representing the nonpartisan League of Women Voters was Rochelle Kaplan. She is a member of the group on a local level and also sits on its board at a state level.
Kaplan walked up to the podium wearing a scarf that read "Voting rights for women" next to an illustration of Lady Liberty.
She started with a story.
"When I was 18, I had male friends who were drafted into the Vietnam War," Kaplan said. "And I couldn't go out and vote. I felt so helpless.
"So as soon as I turned 21, I registered to vote, and have been voting ever since."
Kaplan said her group's mission is simply to help people vote, and said it goes to great lengths to stay out of partisan business.
"On our website, you can find information about all the candidates. We don't edit it — it's in their words," she said. "We ask them the questions, and they fill it in. We don't even touch it, we just put it online."
Kaplan also handed out postcards, in both Spanish and English, listing step-by-step simplified "how to vote" instructions — and the URL for the League of Women Voters-sponsored website Vote411.org.
"We don't care who you vote for — just vote!" Kaplan said with a laugh after the event.
