{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"The News Journal","provider_url":"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net","title":"OpEd: The Importance of Rural Voting &ndash; The News Journal","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"0CWlgDELJc\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/oped-the-importance-of-rural-voting\/\">OpEd: The Importance of Rural Voting<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/oped-the-importance-of-rural-voting\/embed\/#?secret=0CWlgDELJc\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;OpEd: The Importance of Rural Voting&#8221; &#8212; The News Journal\" data-secret=\"0CWlgDELJc\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/guest-opinion-1.jpg","thumbnail_width":319,"thumbnail_height":208,"description":"(OpEd By Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney and Kentucky Electric Cooperatives President and CEO Chris Perry.) In communities across the country, children are taught from a young age about the importance of getting out on Election Day and voting. The right to vote is the cornerstone of any democracy and an important tool for making our voices heard in the political process. These days, with partisanship reaching record highs, it\u2019s easy to want to tune out the political talk and focus on our families and life at home. But we must stay engaged and take the time to ensure we are informed. From expansion of broadband across rural Kentucky to the crafting of future Farm Bills to determining tax rates in local towns \u2014 those elected on November 3rd will make decisions that have everyday impacts on rural Kentuckians. Yes, you heard that right: the people we elect on November 3rd \u00a0will make decisions that impact our daily lives. Voting really is that important! And to be clear, exercising the right to vote doesn\u2019t begin at the ballot box. In the weeks leading up to an election, it\u2019s our responsibility to be informed about the issues at hand and the candidates\u2019 position on those issues. As organizations that operate throughout the commonwealth, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and Kentucky Farm Bureau understand the issues rural Kentuckians face and are committed to making life better for the individuals and communities we serve. Voting has always been and continues to be a critical part of the equation. Each election cycle, Kentucky Farm Bureau hosts candidate forums on every level \u2014 from U.S. Senate to local races \u2014 to ensure our members know exactly where candidates stand on rural issues. KFB is a grassroots organization, and we know that informed voters making their voice heard via elections is of utmost importance. Since 2016, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives has operated \u201cCo-ops Vote,\u201d a partnership with the Kentucky Secretary of State\u2019s office that\u00a0encourages rural voices to make sure their voices are heard\u00a0in the commonwealth\u2019s primary and general elections.\u00a0We also regularly ask candidates their position on issues that impact our members and publish their responses in our flagship publication, Kentucky Living. Whether you are involved with our organizations or not, you owe it to yourself, your family, and your neighbors to take some time to learn about your candidates and weigh in on what\u2019s important to rural Kentucky. With new protocols in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19, voting in 2020 is sure to look and feel a bit different than in years past. Instead of heading to your polling place on Election Day, you may be mailing in your ballot or opting to vote early. The good news is, with so many options, voting has never been easier or more accessible. If there\u2019s one thing we\u2019ve learned from this unpredictable and difficult year, it\u2019s that we should never take anything for granted. That includes our shared responsibility to vote, even if your choice is different than your neighbor\u2019s. Please join us and your fellow Kentuckians in casting your ballot this election season\u2014rural Kentucky is depending on you!"}