Every Election is Important

continues to be a topic of conversation around town.

Everywhere I go, someone asks me what I know about the latest attempt to update the voter roll. All I know comes from reading the stories in the local media.  

Not living in the city limit of Winder, the issue disturbs me, however. I realize that given human error along with adding distrust of almost all things government today, there is a concern that something is not right.

 As an observer of voter turnout for elections, I have mused as to why someone would register to vote and then not vote. It seems there is a need for a major issue that causes the electorate to be fired up before they will come out and vote. We often notice in elections that do not include federal office holders, fewer people vote. This should never be a consideration. Every election is important. Many people push aside elections for local school boards and refuse to waste their time voting. When I speak with local groups in cities and counties across our state, I remind those present that the school board budget many times is more than double the entire budget for the local area. The tax assessment on property is impacted by the school board budget. I mention this one aspect of local government only to point up the fact that no election should be pushed aside as insignificant.

As the people in the cities of Barrow County go to the polls Nov. 8 to vote, there are major issues that should be approached by informed voters. In the unincorporated section of Barrow County, the issue of expanded sales of distilled spirits and is on the ballot. There are city elections where members of city councils and mayors are on the ballot. The county voters will be making a they want going forward. Are we to continue with the same form of government having a chairman as CEO of the county or have a part time chairman with a county manager to oversee the daily function of the government structure? The residents voting Nov. 8 will set the tone for the next years going forward in our county with the choice they make at the polls that day.

The issues listed above and the number of city candidates vying for office should awaken the registered voters of each city and in Barrow County. People have strong and passionate opinions concerning Sunday alcohol sales and the type of government we should have in Barrow County. Now is the time to place that passion to action and become informed about the issues in order to be able to make an informed vote on Election Day. From where I stand, I am going to vote my convictions on these issues Election Day and I urge all registered voters to do the same.

Are you going to vote Nov. 8? If you will not vote, why? Tell us in comments.