Voting can change your life
To the Editor:
How can you connect at the community, regional, state and national level? At all levels, you can educate yourself on what can be done to improve your county.
This leads to being familiar with individuals that comprise your government and what each office is able to accomplish in resolving problems and planning for the future. You can seek out information on all candidates for each office including examining the incumbent record, comparing the candidates’ views with your own and voting for your preferred candidates.
Five reasons to vote:
• Your informed vote holds elected officials accountable.
• The policies/laws enacted by elected officials affect your life.
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• You pay taxes that provide salaries for officials and they determine how taxes will be spent.
• Rights are not guaranteed.
• Your view on issues affecting government matters.
Individuals can also take action within government and non-profit entities. At the local level, you can assist with community cleanup, paint the playground, build ramps, volunteer with an agency or take part in other ways to improve the place where you live. Also, you can attend a meeting of the town board or county commissioners to voice your views about upcoming decisions. At the regional level, there are groups that remove invasive plant species, monitor water quality and do creek/river cleanups. At the state level, you can participate in activities that implement state programs-some of these are related to wildlife management efforts. Also, you can examine the voting record of your state representatives and contact them to voice how a particular bill may affect your interests. This can influence legislation when the bill comes up for a vote. At the national level, you can communicate with your representatives in the legislature when a bill is important to you. There may also be opportunities to band together with others to amplify your voices to your representatives.
Take positive action this year, educate yourself on the candidates and make a plan to vote.
Susan Bogardus
Cullowhee
