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Monday, October 09, 2000     Page: 8A

Tomorrow is the last day to register for the Nov. 7 election. IN CASE you
haven’t noticed the around-the-clock campaign commercials and the seemingly
daily visits by would-be presidents, vice presidents and their wives, let us
be the first to tell you:
   
Northeastern Pennsylvania is a crucial battleground in a crucial state in
this year’s presidential election. Add in a few key con gressional and Senate
races, the contests for state House and three statewide races featuring
several probable future candidates for governor, and you have one of the most
significant elections in recent memory.
    Never has your vote counted more. But if you’re not registered by
tomorrow’s deadline, you won’t get one.
   
For all of the political sound and fury in Luzerne County, a surprisingly
large number of eligible residents, nearly one-quarter, aren’t registered. And
only about 50 percent of them turn out on Election Day in even the busiest
years. That means 95,000 county residents are making decisions at the ballot
box that affect all of the county’s citizens – approximately 320,000 of all
ages.
   
Those who choose not to vote are abdicating their right to participate in
decisions that directly affect their lives. The votes cast Nov. 7 could
ultimately determine how you pay for medicine, send your kids to college or
support yourself in retirement. Those are matters too important too leave up
to somebody else.
   
So plan to register tomorrow. The Luzerne County Voter Services Bureau in
the courthouse annex on River Street, closed today for Columbus Day, will be
open tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
   
Take control of your own destiny.