When people vote, it should be private

Michael R. Stilley, Mesquite

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 | 2:01 a.m.

Yesterday, I got another telephone call from a volunteer for a political party (surprise, surprise).

Since it was a real person from the party I support, I answered the call and talked to him.

However, when I told him that I was not voting early, he presented an interesting argument for doing so.

I was told that if I voted early, I would not get any further telephone calls from anyone advocating any party or party affiliates.

After I hung up, I considered what he had said about early voting.

I always thought voting was by secret ballot and that it would make no difference when I voted.

What I was told is that my early vote would be public knowledge and I would not be harassed by further telephone calls.

At first, I considered this to be just another ploy but wondered why he would say something like this.

If, in fact, I do vote early and avoid future telephone solicitations, how do all of the political party representatives and PACs know I voted and therefore stop calling me?

If this voting information is available to everyone, who is to say my actual vote is not known?

I understand the Nevada law that allows early voting, but if my early vote is public knowledge, then the Nevada legislators need to change the law and stop early voting.

There is absolutely no one who has a right to know when or for whom I vote. I will vote on Nov. 6.