The Committee For Plain English On Hamilton County Ballots

  • Friday, October 31, 2014

First, there is no “committee.”  But there ought to be.

Now I am not the brightest guy in the county. I only have a Bachelor of Science degree (five years), Graduate work in English, Philosophy and Economics (two years) and several years experience teaching at Chattanooga State and substitute teaching in Hamilton County public schools. 

I recently voted in the November election by absentee ballot (permitted for me because I am older than dirt). I discovered how inadequate my education is if I am to vote my desires, without guessing, on the “amendments.” Without a law degree (which I wasn't interested in during my schooling) I feel too incompetent to vote on them, and too morally uncomfortable to simply guess. 

I trust there is a reason for the inclusion of all the “legalese” on the ballot. But if you really want an election to represent the will of the people, also include a “plain English” summary for each amendment which states simply what the issue is, why it is on the ballot, and what a vote either way means. 

Marv Glaser

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