Our View

Our View

Cast a vote

Exercise your right on Tuesday, Nov. 6

One of America’s most sought-after commodities comes to pass next week. Tuesday, Nov. 6, is Election Day. If history is any indication, this non-presidential election will elicit a voter turnout at about 50 percent or below. That is a statistic which should give every citizen reason for concern. There is no more important right of citizenship than the right to vote. Our democracy was founded on the concept of “one man, one vote” — every vote counting equally, regardless of wealth, social position or any other factor. It means that, literally, the majority rules. But the system works only when everyone participates. Certainly, cynicism about the powerlessness of the individual has worked, in recent years, to disenchant people with the political process. But this is a self-fulfilling prophesy. The more people who believe they are powerless, and choose not to participate, the more rapidly the system fails. Only by faith in the system of citizen participation, in the power of the vote, can true representative government be reestablished. To put it another way, if you don’t participate, don’t complain. According to figures furnished by the Rappahannock County Registrar’s Office, 4,858 residents are registered to vote in Tuesday’s election. It is the personal responsibility of each of those 4,858 citizens to get out and cast a vote. By doing so, each voter helps mold the government he or she wants in place. And this year, the government that assumes power of the Old Dominion as a result of Tuesday’s balloting will indeed be a powerful one. This year, Virginians are asked to: — elect a governor, — elect a lieutenant governor, — elect an attorney general. In addition, we in the 15th district are asked to cast a vote to fill a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. These are decisions not to be taken lightly. Voting is not only a privilege, but a serious responsibility. Exercise your right to vote on Tuesday.