“I don’t care who you vote for as long as you vote.”

Ever hear someone say this? Don’t listen to them. Of course it matters who you vote for, otherwise the process wouldn’t matter.

In this country, we are given a tremendous privilege to be able to choose our elected leaders. Everyone is able to vote regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or religious beliefs. In some countries, people can cast a vote, but the process itself is a farce as the election is rigged from the beginning.

In the United States of America, our elected leaders answer to us. The elected leaders can make the laws, and the voters must submit to the laws. However, the lawmakers must answer to their bosses: the voters.

Voting is not just a privilege, but a responsibility.

However, our responsibility goes far beyond just the couple of minutes it takes to go to the voting booth and cast a vote.

Our responsibility as voters is to do our research.

Our newspaper has printed information from several of the candidates running for local or congressional offices. That’s part of our job. Voters should read these sources, listen to what the candidates are saying, and study the issues.

Studying the issues involves much more than scanning the headlines, considering which candidate is more charismatic, or watching 30-second commercials.

It involves doing some reading and listening to what the candidates – of all races — are saying.

How sad that in 2008 – considered to be a high turnout election – less than two thirds came out to vote.

It’s also equally sad that some people vote without knowing what’s going on.

There’s still a day left. You still have time to finish your homework.