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Consider next Supreme Court justices when voting

FILE - In this June 26, 2015 file photo, the crowd celebrates outside of the Supreme Court in Washington after the court declared that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the U.S. A brief exchange during Supreme Court arguments in the same-sex marriage case has exploded into a full-blown crisis for some conservatives who warn that the IRS could start revoking the tax-exempt status of religious groups that oppose gay marriage. The attorneys general of 15 states have written Congress asking for legislation to protect religious schools and other groups. Bills in the House and Senate are gaining support.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
FILE - In this June 26, 2015 file photo, the crowd celebrates outside of the Supreme Court in Washington after the court declared that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the U.S. A brief exchange during Supreme Court arguments in the same-sex marriage case has exploded into a full-blown crisis for some conservatives who warn that the IRS could start revoking the tax-exempt status of religious groups that oppose gay marriage. The attorneys general of 15 states have written Congress asking for legislation to protect religious schools and other groups. Bills in the House and Senate are gaining support.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) Jacquelyn Martin AP

As the upcoming election approaches, I hear family and friends who talk of not voting at all because they don’t support either candidate. I would like to remind everyone there is more at stake than who becomes our next president.

Both options are unacceptable and neither candidate deserves this office; however, I pray our nation is strong enough to withstand either of the two for the short run.

What is much more important is how the candidate will affect our Supreme Court. We have an aging court with the possibility of multiple nominees by the next president.

If you believe our country should abide by the Constitution as it was written, with changes being made only through the amendment process, then it is imperative that conservative judges be appointed. If you believe the court should interpret what they think the Founding Fathers meant, then you will want liberal judges.

This is truly the critical issue that should bring all citizens to the polls. The future of our nation and our children is at stake!

Nancy Acton

Bradenton

This story was originally published October 3, 2016 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Consider next Supreme Court justices when voting."

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