Why Vote?

It is the eve of an election and the local newspapers, some elected officials, and local activists are begging for people to actually vote tomorrow. The low voter turnout of the past few elections and primaries has many people involved in government on edge.

Low voter turnout has always been blamed on the voters. Yet, when much of the "information" we receive from candidates is in the form of attacks against their opponent(s), it is difficult for the voters to make an educated decision on who to vote for. Many candidates seem to believe that it is most important to have name recognition only, and that any publicity is good publicity. This leaves many voters with only the option to vote for the lesser of two evils when they go to the polls.

We offer this: be an educated voter, and be an involved community member. Read the newspaper editorials and other items where the candidates have had an opportunity to express their ideas for our future; research those candidates who have served before to make sure that they have not made decisions in the past that you do not agree with; compare qualifications and remember that "experience" is not always the one best qualification; and ask questions based on what matters to you. At the same time, get other people in your
neighborhood/civic organizations/workplace to get out and vote as well... if the candidates know that they only have to market themselves to "super voters" because they are the only ones who come to the polls, they won't spend the time to market to the rest of our community's citizens. It is only when the majority of the voters in our community cast an educated vote that we will get the government we deserve.