NCGA President Stress Importance of Rural Vote this Election (10-21-04)
As Election Day nears, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
focuses on educating rural voters on issues important to the agricultural
sector, according to NCGA President Leon Corzine, an Illinois corn
grower.
“I feel we have a unique opportunity in this election to
make sure our candidates know what our issues are and that we get
answers to our issues for our growers to know where the candidates
stand on issues like ethanol, transportation and biotechnology,” said
Corzine.
NCGA asked several questions
of President George Bush and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) recently
in a question and answer survey,
in which the candidates had the opportunity to make a stand on
where they are on NCGA’s six priority issues.
Corzine noted this survey is an important part of educating growers
so when they go to vote, they can make an educated decision on
who to vote for, especially in what is turning out to be a very
tight race.
“There has been a lot of talk and activity in the ‘swing
states’ and a majority of these swing states are strong agricultural
states. With candidates stumping in the Midwest before Election
Day, this is an opportunity to make our voices and issues heard.”
Corzine stressed the importance of providing a strong rural vote
in this election and making sure rural votes count.
“As we saw four
years ago, absolutely every vote does count. This election day
we have a chance to be heard in a strong way,
a strong agricultural voice will make the difference.”
Corzine said there are several ways to make your voice heard especially
with harvest still under way in many areas and growers busy bringing
in their crops and finding it difficult to leave their trucks and
combines to go vote.
“We are encouraging
our growers to get educated, go the www.ncga.com and then go
vote early by absentee ballot. They can
go now to their county court house and vote by absentee ballot.
They will know their vote counted.”
NCGA recently posted
the candidates’ answers to its questionnaire
that reflects their stance on key grower issues. A summary of the
candidates’ answers as well as the questions and answers
in their entirety are available at: http://www.ncga.com/public_policy/issues/2004/BushKerrySideBySide.htm.