Neighbor Stories - Andre Matlock, “Be The Solution”

Vote and Be Heard

Whether you are a first-time voter or have been voting for years, every election offers an opportunity to have your voice be heard. For Andre Matlock, his first vote was in 1972.

Throughout most of American history, citizens had to be 21 to vote but that changed when President Nixon certified the 26th Amendment, lowering the voting age to 18. Nixon, the current president, was running for reelection against Sen. George McGovern. Sen. McGovern ran on a platform of ending the war in Vietnam and establishing a minimum wage, both which were a priority for Matlock.

He voted for McGovern who lost the election and only carried one state. “I certainly did tell people that I had voted and who I voted for. I may have been discouraged by the outcome but proud that I participated in the process.” When the 1976 presidential election was held, Andre voted for Jimmy Carter who was elected as the 39th President.

Matlock works in a mental health residential facility. There, he educates the residents on the election process, encouraging and facilitating them in exercising their right to vote. “We do everything we can to encourage and facilitate their right to vote. Illinois law ensures that every patient and person who has fulfilled residency and age requirements has the right to vote.”

Be the Solution

Matlock remembers an oft repeated quote from his childhood, “If you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem.”

For Andre, voting gives him an opportunity to be part of the solution. Voting is one of the defining features of being a US citizen. It is how we make our voices heard and the more citizens that vote, the better our elected officials will represent us.

Be a part of the solution and vote in this election!