Reminder: Tuesday is Election Day

Do you realize that Tuesday, November 4 is Election Day? If not, then you’re what is known as a “low-propensity voter.” I heard this term the other day emanating from the television. I’m not sure who said it, but I suppose that person means that you’re somewhat aware of current events, but you’re not aware enough to know about the upcoming Election Day. No one is insulting the low-propensity voters’ intelligence. We all get busy and forget important dates and events. The thing to remember is that voting is important and all of us need to exercise that right.

“Well, we’re not voting for president, so why vote?” a low-propensity voter might say.

Indeed that low-propensity voter is correct about November 4 being a non-presidential election, but it ends there. The upcoming elections impact the average citizen especially during this upcoming year. Your county commissioner, state senator, state representative or congressperson are just a few of the seats that are most likely up for grabs in your polity. The folks who get elected or re-elected to these offices make decisions in their jobs that provide you with tremendous impact.

Traffic flow, development and transportation projects are just some of the key issues that your county commissioner may deal with in his or her position. Those issues and even larger ones including education and health care are handled on the state level as well as the federal level. Voting for your state representative, state senator and congressperson is important to your daily life.

Recently, leaders in our area held a candidate forum to present a few of the good folks running for office. It’s always a great idea to attend these forums to make an informed decision on Election Day. At this particular forum, all candidates were impressive with their presentations along with good question and answer sessions. You may view the first part of this forum here: http://youtu.be/qPJ-Sn5Pr5s and subsequent portions of that night’s forum will follow on this YouTube channel.

Now, here’s something old to the “policy nerds,” although this and much of the aforementioned information is basic. November fourth’s elections are referred to as the midterm elections. All 435 seat in the United States House and 33 of the 100 United States. Senate seats are currently being contested. The outcome from those races will impact how the president will work with Congress in his last two years in office. Which party controls the House and Senate is crucial to many people and interests. While the US House of Representatives remains in the Republican majority, the US Senate’s balance of power is far closer. A few seats either way, could tip the majority power to either mainstream political party.

Here in the state of Georgia, we have a governor’s race and a U.S. Senate race. Those races are getting a lot of attention on television, radio and in print. Lesser-known offices such as Lieutenant Governor, State Attorney General, State School Superintendent, State Insurance Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, Public Service Commissioner, County Solicitor and others will appear on Tuesday, November fourth’s ballot. Again, those are all important offices which have an impact on the average citizen’s quality of life.

Indeed, “low-propensity voter,” we are not electing or re-electing a new president this year. Rather, we are going to the polls on November 4th to vote for those who will impact us the most.