I take my right to vote seriously. It’s a fundamental right we, as American citizens, share. Our right to vote did not come easily; many fought and died to protect this right.

If a candidate for Kirkland City Council asks for my vote, I expect they have a near-perfect voting record. One doesn’t need to know who they have voted for in the past – that’s a personal decision we all get to make in private. Rather, it’s important to know if they vote. Is it unreasonable to ask citizens to vote for you if you don’t bother to vote yourself? I say yes.

You may be surprised to learn two Kirkland City Council candidates have not taken full advantage of their right to vote. Since 2005, there have been 11 potential opportunities to vote in Washington. While the other council candidates have near-perfect voting records (between 9 and 11), two new contenders have horrible records – Amy Walen and Martin Morgan. The worst offender is Amy Walen, having voted only one time since moving to Washington in 2005. She had 11 potential opportunities to vote, but only voted once. She also says that she has lived in Kirkland for four years but has never voted in one Kirkland race. Coming in second is Martin Morgan, who voted a mere five times out of 11 since 2005. With the option of voting by absentee, there is no excuse for this lack of effort.

Remember, the primary election deadline is Aug. 18 – and it’s a mail-in election. I urge Kirkland residents to learn all they can about the candidates. Voting is a right many others around this world do not enjoy and should not to be taken lightly. Your vote is your voice – use it or lose it.

Judith Shattuck, Kirkland