Citizens have the opportunity Tuesday to take part in one of this nation’s greatest privileges — voting.
Voting is a way to help shape the future of the community, state and nation. Another benefit of voting: It gives the participant the right to complain when leaders aren’t living up to expectations.
There is simply no excuse for eligible voters not to vote. Polls open prior to the start of most people’s work day and stay open until well after the majority of people have ended their day. And if before or after work isn’t right, consider spending a coffee break or lunch period in the voting booth.
And if you are unsure of where or how to vote, contact the Koochiching County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office or check out the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, where information about where to vote and who is on the ballot in your location is available.
There’s still time to find out how candidates stand on the issues. The Secretary of State’s website provides contacts to information supplied by candidates. And in September, The Journal provided profiles of candidates for national, state and local positions, as well as their answers to questions posed by The Journal. That information is available on our website under “Voters Guide.” In addition, many candidates have websites that feature their ideas on the issues.
Even better yet, voters could give candidates a call to pose their own questions about important issues.
Despite the polls about who is ahead and who is lagging, each and every vote counts. It’s not only a privilege to vote, but a responsibility to help select the people who will guide our future. If you don’t take this great opportunity on Election Day, you have only yourself to blame if you are unhappy with the results.
