Early voting is underway.
Of course, we encourage all registered voters to vote but please cast informed ballots.
While voting is the great American privilege, it is even more of a responsibility.
While it is important to vote in federal elections, local races on the ballot this cycle in many ways are even more important.
It is at the local level that government touches our daily lives the most.
Just as we all expect candidates to prepare themselves to run for office, voters must prepare to cast their ballots.
We are right to expect a candidate to have studied and to understand relevant issues, being able to clearly articulate positions on public policy.
We are right to expect candidates to have the experience, knowledge and temperament to lead and legislate.
We are right to scrutinize each candidate’s ethics and moral compass, looking into their background and fitness for office.
When a person makes the decision to run for high office, they open themselves up to public scrutiny, and it is fair for the electorate to have all available information prior to casting a ballot.
Voters should stay constantly informed and not merely make up their minds based on political party or some other reason without fully knowing for whom or what they are actually voting.
Just as we have and should have expectations for candidates, we should also hold ourselves to high expectations and not compromise our own positions, beliefs and values out of blind allegiance to a political party or movement.
Of course, it is fair to ask yourself if a candidate is a member of the party you affiliate with, but it is also reasonable to assess whether that same candidate shares your beliefs, positions and values.
Does the record match the rhetoric?
We encourage you to do your own independent research.
One-issue or even one-party voting can be shortsighted.
Every registered voter should vote.
We encourage you all to make it to the polls during this election year but please cast a thoughtful, informed ballot.