We have important elections this year, and elections have consequences.
A lot is riding on how we vote — or, worse, if we choose not to vote at all.
There are concerted efforts at the national level and across many states to make it more difficult to exercise that power.
We cannot afford to sit silently by and allow such efforts to win.
First, follow any proposed changes in voting requirements and make sure you are still able to vote.
Then, determine where you stand on the candidates and the issues.
In Missouri, there are very important ballot issues seeking your vote in August and November. Take the time to find out and understand what you are truly being asked to vote for.
Across the country, there are legislative offices — at the municipal, county, state and federal levels — with candidates vying for our vote. Our involvement and vote, or failure to vote, will determine the outcome for those critical offices.
There are ways we can achieve a “comfort zone” around who can best represent us and how we should vote on the ballot issues before us.
- Take some time to examine and reflect on the issues that are important to you — whether they are your personal quality of life, economic development, community revitalization, jobs for youth, quality health care or some other concern. What has been the overall political and policy direction, and what decisions have been made by those whom you have entrusted to lead?
- Develop a scorecard on paper or in your mind and see how you, your community, your city, your county, your state or our nation has fared. Ask yourself a few critical questions: Are things better than they were two, three or four years ago? If not, why not? Who and what actions or inactions are responsible?
- Consult credible local and national organizations and other trusted sources for factual information.
Many of the issues and conditions affecting your community, city or state are the same across the country. Some are different. But the important thing is how they are dealt with and what the attendant short- and long-term results are from the people you vote to put in office.
We only have to look at a few critical indicators to reach some rather poignant conclusions:
Our ability to keep up with the cost of living.
The availability and affordability of housing in our communities.
Access to quality health care services at affordable prices.
Access to services such as a good grocery store, pharmacy and auto services.
The state and quality of education our children are receiving.
We cannot afford to look only at our personal situation, or just one area, in a vacuum when so much of where we find ourselves is interconnected.
Your vote for a particular candidate can be the change. Find out what actions the incumbents have taken or failed to take on the issues that are most important to you. Ask the challengers for their specific plans to address them should they be elected.
When you tally your scorecard, what are your conclusions about the incumbent and the challenger?
Our current political environment is flooded with divisiveness, disinformation, misinformation, no information, downright lies, personal agendas, finger-pointing and the blame game dominating the news and public square. It is very difficult to shut out the noise and give serious thought to the conditions all around us.
Good government, like a good family, a good church or a good school, takes having the right people at the top making good decisions. But it also takes the rest of us to play our part.
We have time to research, discuss and mobilize the vote.
Tell a neighbor, a family member or a colleague who you think will be best to work and fight for the issues you care about — for your family, your neighborhood, your city, your state and our country.
Our vote has the power to make the difference and the changes we need.
We can’t afford not to use that power, or waste it.
Janice Ellis is a columnist for the Missouri Independent, where this commentary was originally published.