To the Editorial Team: My dad came home from World War II an ardent patriot.

He liked to sing “God Bless America” in an operatic tenor and he loved to vote. When my sister was born on Election Day, he schemed to get my mom released from the hospital before the polls closed.

Voting was a sacred ritual in my house and I was eager for my turn. But the law at the time required me to wait until I was 21. Many do not know that the opportunity to vote at 18 was not available until 1971 when the 26th Amendment was rapidly ratified to lower the voting age to 18. It was intended to also lower the angry youth protests to the Vietnam war draft that scooped up a generation not allowed to participate in the Democracy it was defending.

In New York in 2026, not only are 18-year-olds welcome at the polls, all young patriots can register to vote as early as 16 and 17 and be the first in line on Election Day once they are 18. For the rest of us, who have recently changed a home address, or name, or just never gave voting much thought, the time is NOW to register, particularly if you’d like to support a Democrat or Republican candidate in the upcoming primary election that determines who will be on the November ballot. Registration must be received June 13, 10 days before primary Election Day (June 23). No passport or birth certificate required!

Once your registration is on the voter rolls — unless you change your name or address — you are eligible to vote in all future elections. The DMV offers easy online registration (https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application) and the Ulster County Board of Elections can answer all your questions (845-334-5470).

Be a Patriot!

Lyn DelliQuadri

Kingston