If you’re a registered voter (yesterday was the deadline),
you’re probably contemplating the many candidates, 13 statewide
propositions and one county measure vying for your vote on the Nov.
7 ballot.
If you’re a registered voter (yesterday was the deadline), you’re probably contemplating the many candidates, 13 statewide propositions and one county measure vying for your vote on the Nov. 7 ballot.
The Dispatch editorial board has weighed in on many of them, offering our opinions ranging from enthusiastic endorsements to alarmed opposition. And we hope you’ll give our recommendations due consideration.
But even more than that, we hope that you’ll cast a ballot on or before Nov. 7. Whether you’re a permanent absentee voter or enjoy the visit to your local polling place, take the time to study the issues and cast your vote.
America is the shining example of democracy in the world, yet our voter turnout rates are shamefully low. When politicians know that voters are disengaged – not watching and refusing to hold them accountable – they know that they can get away with almost anything. A brief review of the scandals swirling around Washington, D.C., for example, clearly shows that they’ll try.
We know that who serves as your water district director or school board representative isn’t the most entertaining way to engage your brain. We know that whether California restricts where registered sex offenders live or decides to increase its indebtedness through bonds aren’t the most pleasant or simple topics.
But we also know that those issues are vitally important, that our decisions will affect not only our day-to-day lives in the next four years, but for the next generation.
Beyond that, voting is the sacred duty of every citizen. We’re lucky enough to live in a country where we have a choice on these matters. Make that choice count.
Vote on Nov. 7.
