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Our November election ‘day’ has an interesting history

NIAGARA, Wis. — A simple internet search gave me a surprising lesson on our November election day, as well as the evolving history of our right to vote. I grew up, like all of you, simply knowing that I had the right to vote. We are a democracy after all, and that right is simply part of living within that form of government. Once I did a little reading, I learned that our right to vote — along with when we vote — has been an evolving process.

The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, and within that document, Thomas Jefferson laid the foundation for voting rights when he stated, “Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Our Constitution, however, was not adopted until June 21, 1788 — a full 12 years later. The original Constitution granted individual states the power to establish standards for voting rights. Consequently, mostly white Anglo-Saxon Protestant males who owned property and were older than 21, were the only group allowed to vote.

In the beginning, states also used to hold elections whenever they wanted within a 34-day period leading up to the first Wednesday in December. This created issues — the biggest being that the early results too often affected how people voted later or whether they voted at all. The current date was established by the Presidential Election Day Act of 1845 to be every two years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Election Day was a very deliberate choice. American society was very agrarian in the mid-19th century. It took a full day of traveling for many to reach their polling place. Church made weekends impractical, and Wednesday was market day for farmers, so Tuesday proved ideal.

November worked because weather was still fairly mild, and the harvest was complete by that time so farmers could leave their fields to do their civic duty. While we are not nearly as agrarian as we were back then, voter turnout is still an issue for many. A 2018 poll found that 65% of Americans favored the idea to make Election Day a national holiday, but so far that has not happened. Time will tell.

In the meantime, there have been many voting rights milestones — as well as continuing challenges — in America.

— Eighty years after the first votes were cast, the 14th Amendment was ratified that granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States and gave them equal protection under the laws; this included former slaves.

— On Feb. 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment granted the right to vote to black men and Congress the power to enforce it. However, laws — including poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses — were enacted in mostly Southern states to suppress Black voting rights until 1965, a full 95 years later.

— After decades of protest and struggles for change, the 19th Amendment was adopted that granted women the right to vote: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” However, this did not prevent Southern states from restricting minority women from voting through the passage of their own discriminatory laws.

— On June 2, 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act that granted the right to vote to Native Americans born in the United States. Despite its passage, however, some states continue to create obstacles to Native Americans voting.

— In 1943, the Chinese Exclusion Act ended. Throughout World War II, the United States and China had been allies. After the war ended, an 1882 law that had prohibited Chinese from becoming U.S. citizens was finally repealed. Chinese immigrants and their American-born families became the first Asian Americans eligible to naturalize, gain citizenship — and the right to vote.

— On March 29, 1961, the 23rd Amendment was ratified. It allowed American citizens living in the District of Columbia to vote for president and vice president. Before its passage, D.C. residents could only vote for those offices with valid registration in one of the nation’s states.

— On Jan. 23, 1964, the 24th Amendment is ratified that prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections. President Lyndon Johnson announced the amendment’s passage during a ceremony when he said, “There can be no one too poor to vote.”

— On Aug. 6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. This act banned literacy tests and enforced the 15th Amendment at the federal level. It also provided for federal examiners who could register voters in certain jurisdictions. Between 1965 and 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality in the face of many challenges.

— On July 1, 1971 — during the Vietnam era — the passage of the 20th Amendment lowered the legal voting age to 18 for all U.S. citizens.

— On Aug. 6, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed several amendments to the Voting Rights Act into law that required voting districts with significant numbers of non-English-speaking voters to be provided with instructions or assistance in registering and voting.

— On June 29, 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed a 25-year extension of the Voting Rights Act.

— On Sept. 28, 1984, President Reagan signed into law the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act that mandated that polling places be accessible and that if no place was available an alternative way to vote be offered.

— The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 was signed into law on May 20 of that year by President Bill Clinton. Known as the “motor voter” law, it mandated that state motor vehicle agencies offer voter registration opportunities. It also required states to offer mail-in voter registration applications, to maintain current and accurate voter registration lists, and opportunities to register to vote at certain state and local offices.

— The Help America Vote Act, signed into law on Oct. 29, 2002, by President George W. Bush mandated that the U.S. Election Assistance Commission improve and certify voting equipment, maintain the National Voter Registration form, and administer a national elections clearinghouse with shared information. And it provided states with funding to help meet these requirements.

— On June 25, 2013, certain voting rights guaranteed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were “walked back,” on a 5-4 vote, by the U.S. Supreme Court. Since then, at least 23 states had enacted newly restrictive statewide voter laws, including polling place closures, voter ID laws, limiting early voting and more.

Our right to vote, challenged since its beginnings, is a precious one. It gives us our voice. It gives us our choice. It gives us some control over our future and the kind of world in which we want to live. Let’s never take it for granted.

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

Sunday: Church on TV/coloring/residents’ choice,10 a.m.

Monday: Rosary, 10 a.m.; room visits, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; National Kindness Day booth, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Church with Lisa, 10 a.m.; jam to the oldies, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; art, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: For the love of nails, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.; drinks and chatter, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; coffee clutch, 1:30 p.m.; dice club, 2 p.m.

Friday: Homemade bread day — let’s make bread, 10 a.m.; music, 11 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Visit with coffee at the nursing desk.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; trivia, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; Green Bay Packer tailgate, 1 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Sunshine Club, 9 a.m.; Book Club, 10 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; smart shoppers, 2 p.m.; Crystal Falls senior center, 3:30 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Opening day hunters’ breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; current events, 9:45 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; deer hunting challenge, 2 p.m.; big buck bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; United Lutheran, 2 p.m.; happy hour with music, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Cooking Club, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; how do you feel?, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/room visits, 9 a.m.; faces and places, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

(formerly Manor Care / ProMedica)

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: File and style, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; happy hour, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; feed the turkey, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; resident council, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; let’s bake, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; devotional, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; First Lutheran Church service, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; stretch it out, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; religious craft, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Morning mixer, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Thanksgiving crafting, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Sunday: Coffee and crafts, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; action movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; joker-eno, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; exercise and trivia, 10 a.m.; resident council, 2 p.m.; Scattegories, 2:30 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; target practice, 2 p.m.; evening prayer, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, ring toss, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 2 p.m.

Friday: Uno, 10 a.m.; C & R happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Morning mingle/spelling bee, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

Monday: What’s on the tray, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Resident council, 10 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Chair exercise/dancing, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Friday: Catholic communion, 9:30 a.m.; Pastor Cathy, 10 a.m.; popcorn and movie, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Independent activities.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; ladder ball and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; music with Pastor Jim, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; music with Jim Edberg, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; church service, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; bunco, 2 p.m.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 10 a.m.; shopping outing, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; “Jeopardy” 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 10 a.m.; sensory group, 10:30 a.m.; “Name That Tune,” 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; one-on-one visits, 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 10 a.m.; buck fever, 11:30 a.m.; open season, 2 p.m.; story hour, 4 p.m.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; reminiscing, 4 p.m.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; lunch outing, 11 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; happy hour with Vicki and Dave, 2 p.m.; person-centered visits, 4 p.m.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; balloon toss, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

The center at 415 Main St. is open four days a week, serving soup and sandwich meal from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, fish fries from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, pizzas from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and dinner from 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Lasagna, broccoli, salad, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Tater tot casserole, spinach side salad, Jell-O with fruit.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, dinner roll.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, serving at noon. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken Alfredo over fettuccine, broccoli, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Sub sandwich, fries, pasta salad.

Wednesday: Meat ravioli with marinara, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, dinner roll.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Sterling Peryam

Assistant Cook: Bitsy Peryam

906-875-6709

The center is open on Mondays and is serving meals for dine-in or takeout — call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. — call ahead and leave a message with phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Beer brats, baked beans, oven-browned potatoes.

Tuesday: Chicken parmesan, spaghetti noodles, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Glazed ham, sweet potatoes.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Pizza burger, seasoned potato wedges, sweet corn.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: German potato soup with sausage, side salad, dinner roll.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, wax beans.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pizza burger, seasoned potato wedges, sweet corn.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: German potato soup with sausage, side salad, dinner roll.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, wax beans.

Friday: Tuna salad sandwich, coleslaw, string cheese, yogurt cup.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week is:

Monday: Les Artistes’ Art Club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards, pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday: Cards, smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Beef tips with noodles, squash, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Stuffed shells, California blend vegetables, garlic toast.

Wednesday: Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, dinner roll, pumpkin crunch.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Pizza burger, seasoned potato wedges, sweet corn.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: German potato soup with sausage, side salad, dinner roll.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chef salad — mixed greens, ham, turkey, cheese, egg, tomato, croutons, breadstick, fruit.

Tuesday: Chef Choice — entrée, vegetable, fruit.

Wednesday: Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, dinner roll, pumpkin pie.

Thursday: Tater tot casserole– hamburger, green beans, tater tots, corn, fruit.

Friday: Hunter’s chili, cornbread, cucumber salad, fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on Wednesday only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday.

Reservations for a meal onsite need to be made 48 hours in advance by calling the above number.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Swiss chicken with mushrooms over rice, cook’s choice vegetable, fruit cup.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, beets, peas and carrots, fruit cocktail.

Wednesday: Turkey slice, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, whole wheat dinner roll, pumpkin bar.

Thursday: Western egg bake, oven red potatoes, muffin, banana, tomato juice.

Friday: Beef stew, biscuit, sweet potato wedges, cooked apples.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Open for dine-in eating, serving at 11 a.m. Salad bar is available. No night meals at this time. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Scalloped potatoes with ham, Brussel sprouts, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Chili, cheese quesadilla, cheese stick.

Wednesday: Chicken salad sandwich, seven-layer salad, chips, fresh fruit.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, Italian blend vegetables, breadstick.

Niagara Senior Center/Café

715-251-1603

The center is open, and dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Monday: Veterans Day dinner — beef tips, mashed potatoes, parsley buttered carrots, dinner roll and cherry dessert.

Tuesday: Ham, au gratin potatoes, Brussel sprouts, pears.

Wednesday: Thanksgiving dinner — sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie.

Thursday: Hamburgers, potato wedges, baked beans, tossed salad, warm cinnamon apples.

The center will host bingo on Mondays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head Cook:  Brian Gutkowski. 

906-563-8716

Open for dine-in eating beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar is available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals will remain available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cabbage roll casserole, biscuit, vegetables.

Tuesday: Cheese ravioli, garlic bread, vegetables.

Wednesday: Salmon, tater tots, vegetables.

Thursday: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles and gravy, vegetables.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

Birthdays and bingo on Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Meat ravioli with marinara sauce, broccoli, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Chicken noodles soup, grilled cheese sliders, Jell-O with fruit.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, dinner roll.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Pizza burger, seasoned potato wedges and sweet corn.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice, Oriental vegetables and fortune cookie.

Wednesday: German potato soup with sausage, side salad and dinner roll.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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