Be an informed, educated election voter

The primary election is coming up Aug. 5.

A few of us, unfortunately too few, will determine for the rest of us, who will lead us in key local races.

We'll also whittle down some other races, selecting our party nominee.

Turnout typically runs in the 20 to 40 percent level, depending on what the issues are, what races are up for grabs, and the whims of the public.

Then in November, we'll make choices at the local, state, and national level.

Our local candidates, as a group, offer us quality choices.

That's encouraging. In races across the country, it's too easy to find individuals running who, quite frankly, shouldn't be.

At best, they're uninformed on the issues. At worst, their character and judgment is questionable.

That's not the case here as we've always found people genuinely interested in serving the public good.

We have some tough choices to make.

That's reflected in the diversity of opinions found among the different candidates and the issues.

Who has the edge in a political race - the incumbent or the challenger?

Can one issue mean the difference?

Election analysts, and that can be just about anyone these days, have studied these questions.

And just like opinions, it seems there is a wide variety of beliefs on each of these questions. Virtually each candidate for local, state and national office has offered an opinion on their and their constituents' issues.

It's important that we voters weigh our decisions carefully. We have an obligation to learn all we can about the issues and the candidates' stances.

We determine our level of city, state and federal services and how and what we will pay for them by our choices at the ballot box.

It's easy to criticize but if you choose not to vote, you will have thrown away your ability to change what you don't like or to support what and whom you do like.

It's a sad commentary when Americans have become apathetic about exercising their right to vote, the very right that in other countries is denied or comes at a potential cost of loss of life.

The least we can do is take the time to be informed.

Read about the candidates, meet them, read the responses and backgrounds of the candidates found in our newspaper, ask questions, seek answers, and vote.

Until we can overcome disinterest and apathy, our government won't be as effective as it could be.

We are all better served with full citizen participation.