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Tennessee Valley locals speak on importance of voting ahead of elections

Locals speak on exercising the right to vote ahead of municipal elections on Tuesday, August 25th.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — In less than two days, voters will mark their ballots for municipal elections across the Tennessee Valley.

Christian Cervantes, 20, traveled from Middle Tennessee to the Rocket City to hear Libertarian Presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen speak at a peace rally put together by Huntsville City Council candidate, for District 5, Tom Hopf. Hopf is running against incumbent Will Culver, and candidate John Meredith.

Cervantes says this is his first time voting in a presidential election.

"I know a lot of people my age don't really - aren't interested in politics which I think is something that needs to change. I'm really excited that my vote gets to go toward somebody that I'm really in support of," added Cervantes.

Registered voter Aja Henderson says it's important to be educated on candidates. "Don't vote on emotion. Because it's easy to get riled up for one candidate or another, but if you don't do your research and find out their voting history and what they actually stand for it's easy to get tricked."

Hopf believes so as well. On Sunday, it came at a cost for him, literally. Hopf says he was issued a citation because the peace rally was not approved and any use of amplified sound would violate a noise ordinance.

"I was willing to take that chance because it's very important that we are able to speak to our campaigns on what we want to see change," added Hopf.

Jorgensen says a lot of people tend to believe Libertarian voters are a wasted vote. However, she believes not voting at all is a wasted vote. 

"Actually it's all the people who don't vote that sway the election. There are many more people that don't vote. And if people would simply vote for what they do want," says Jorgensen.

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