Learn about the candidates -- vote Nov. 4

Voters will go to the polls to determine a number of key local races, as well as state and national races in our House of Representatives.

The Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce is holding an election forum for the candidates at Cottey College, with questions that will likely touch on a variety of subjects.

In addition to covering the forum, the Nevada Daily Mail published an election section before the primary and will have another voter publication prior to this vote.

As voters, we've had numerous chances to be informed.

The issues and candidates before us will set the direction of our city, our county, our state and our nation.

Serving as an elected official requires leadership, vision and being an ambassador for your community.

These volunteers will regularly face challenging decisions involving our cities, schools and communities. Their decisions will play a key role in our quality of life, our future economic prosperity, and in our community pride.

Grappling with budgets and funding, and state and federal mandates, can tax the stoutest of constitutions.

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.

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.

Few countries enjoy our freedoms, freedoms that have come at a high cost. The least we can do is take the time to be informed.

Read about the candidates, ask questions, learn from the forums and vote.