You might still be recovering from Halloween, but there is still an election today. And unless you avoided the Pit for the last month, you should be well aware of it.
Here, there’s much to care about on the ballot.
There are of course the U.S. Senate and House elections. For the Senate, the outcome between Sen. Richard Burr and Elaine Marshall will either minimize likely losses to the Democratic majority, or solidify likely Republican gains.
For the House race, incumbent Rep. David Price and challenger B.J. Lawson very well sum up both sides in the current debate over our nation’s future on matters ranging from health care reform, energy, the environment and even federal funding to our University.
The editorial board endorsed Price as the person whose ideas in that debate best correspond with the Fourth District’s needs. Laws on dutifully ran an anti-establishment, small-government campaign — albeit one at odds with our interests.
And of course, there are state and local elections as well.
There’s also a one-quarter-cent local sales tax increase and a proposed amendment to prevent convicted felons from serving as sheriff, two issues that could have immediate effects in the community we live in.
There is no way to force anyone to believe voting is worth their time — nor should there be, as voting should be a voluntary exercise. But unless you are an elected official or bureaucrat, this is probably the most direct influence on governance that you have.
Government offers much to complain about, but it’s hard to do so when, of your own volition, you forgo buy-in.
And while we are individually one vote, a whole lot of individuals are likely to do their part today to make this a wave election.
