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Is there anyone out there who still doubts that every vote in an election counts? There was never a better moment for the consumer voting movement, Ken Steele's "I vote, I count," to make its impact.
The Presidential election will probably be determined in Florida by less than 1,000 votes. The U. S. Senatorial race in Washington State has just been determined by just under 2000 votes, with Democrat Maria Cantwell, who ran an issues orientated campaign, defeating incumbent Republican Slade Gordon. This victory achieved in this crucial race has evenly divided the U.S. Senate!

Here in New York State, where Ken's efforts registered more than 35,000 first time voters who were users of mental health services. Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS) and National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) NYC METRO submitted comprehensive questionnaires to candidates statewide regarding their positions on mental health issues such as insurance parity, buying into the Federal Work Incentives Program, as well as other issues vital to our constituency. Almost all of the candidates took our questionnaire seriously, gave it considerable thought and returned it in a timely manner.

The exception to the rule was State Senator Roy Goodman. In spite of repeated prodding, his office steadfastly refused to answer the questionnaire. Both New York City Voices and the NAMI-NYC METRO: REPORTER published the responses to the questionnaire. Without editorializing, it was apparent which candidate cared about our constituency. The result: incumbent Senator Goodman, a longtime office holder, appears to be losing his seat to Liz Krueger by less than 100 votes, with a number of absentee votes still to be counted. Who could have imagined the power which we hold as a voting block?

Thanks to Ken's vision and hard work, consumers of mental health services in New York State have made their muscle felt. Should Senator Goodman actually pull ahead and win this election, I'm sure that he won't miss the opportunity to consider the concerns of our constituency. We will make sure that he does. Should Liz Krueger's lead prevail, I'm sure that we will have her ear. Remember, we vote, we count!