Editorials

Editorials

Time to register

Election Day 1986 is fast approaching, and sooner still is the cut-off date for registration to be eligible to vote on November 4th.

If you are not now a registered voter, we urge that you do so by the last day for registration, Saturday, October 4. Voter turnout in non-presidential election years is historically lower than presidential years, but that does not make the election any less important.

Indeed, local elections are really more important to most people in their daily lives, since the decisions made by elected officials in Rappahannock County are likely to affect them more directly than those made by faceless bureaucrats in Washington, D. C.

In order to make registration as easy as possible for Rappahannock residents, the Office of the Registrar will be holding special registration sessions at several locations around the county. The dates, times and locations are:

—Friday, Sept. 26, 5 to 7 p.m.: Burke’s Store, Woodville.

—Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 to 12 a.m.: Castleton Fire House, Rt. 617, Castleton.

—Friday, Oct. 3, 5 to 7 p.m.: Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank, Flint Hill.

The Office of the Registrar at the courthouse will also be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4 to accommodate last minute registrants.

Absentee ballot applications may be filled out until Saturday, Nov. 1 at the registrar’s office. Applications can also be mailed if requested by calling the office at 675-3739.

The State of Virginia no longer has a requirement for a minimum period of residence, so anyone who lives in Rappahannock County is eligible to vote, if they register in time.

Remember, representative government only truly represents those who participate in it. Your candidate may not win, but by casting your vote you are expressing your views. The right to vote is an important one — use it.