Don't just vote; know the issues and facts first

Frontiersman editorial board

Today people around the Valley will be heading to the polls to cast their votes in local government races. Voter turnout is low all around the country, and that has been attributed to a number of possible factors: Voter apathy, a sense of disenfranchisement, dilution of party politics, etc.

There are several schools of thought about the importance of voter turnout. The most popular position is that high voter turnout creates the best climate for the democratic process. The mainstream media spends a lot of time bemoaning the problem of low turnout at the polls. Nearly every newspaper in the country expends a good deal of ink and hyperbole extolling the virtues of voting and encouraging everyone of voting age to head to the polls.

No doubt, participation is critical to the democratic process, and it is essential that everyone be guaranteed the right to vote and access to the means to exercise that right.

An important consideration when discussing the health of the republic, however, is the determination of the difference between the responsibilities of government and the responsibilities of voters. It is incumbent upon the government to provide a voting environment that is open to everyone, and that makes it as easy and safe as possible for each person to exercise the right to vote. It is also government's responsibility to ensure that the results are accurately protected and tabulated.

It is incumbent upon the voters to understand the issues and candidates. It is not enough to ignore the political process until the height of the campaign season and then base the decision to vote on the information garnered from biased advertising campaigns and campaign flyers. To cast votes based only upon that information is the pinnacle of irresponsibility. It is to reduce the democratic process to a popularity contest or a sporting diversion, and the results can only serve to weaken the entire process.

Everyone is busy, and politics is confusing and sometimes unpleasant. However, to truly take part in the process, to help improve the responsiveness of our elected officials and to ensure that we are getting what we want from government, we must be engaged with it. We support the right to vote, and we hope for high voter turnout. We also strongly encourage people to be responsible voters and to understand why they are casting each vote.