There has been ample media coverage of the upcoming general election and how close the race for president might be. There are also races locally that now have competing candidates. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the campaigning and develop an attitude that an individual voter can’t make a difference.

The contentious election is finally here. And,yes we can make a difference and we will get our chance Tuesday.

Below are the several top reasons why you should vote. They offer some good insights.

• Voting is a way to speak your mind and let your voice be heard – Your vote is your voice. When we vote, we are actually telling elected officials and lawmakers how we feel about education, public safety, social security, health care, and other important issues.

• One voice, one vote really does count – Remember: there is power in numbers, and when we vote and get our family members to vote, we can truly make a difference. If you don’t vote for what you believe in, others will – and you may not like the outcome.

• Our children are depending on us to represent their voices too – Because our children can’t vote, we have to do it for them. That’s how we make our concerns about schools, safety, housing, and other issues heard. When we vote, we are looking out for our kids, and their futures.

• Voting changes communities – Do you ever wonder why one neighborhood gets passed over for things it needs, while another seems to get it all? One big reason is voting. When we vote, we can get results that we can actually see.

• Vote to effect change – It was through elections that we voted in officials who were champions for civil rights. Voting is our chance to make a difference in our own lives and within the world.

• Believe it or not, voting is a way of honoring our history – As long as our country has existed, there have been people who didn’t want us to vote. There were several freedom fighters that stood up for the right to vote. Well, those times may seem ancient, but there are still people today who don’t want us to vote. It’s now our turn to stand up and vote to preserve the honor of those who went before us.

• Last but not least, because it gives you credibility – Often times, we voice our concerns to elected officials, but if we aren’t voting, our concerns may not matter at all to them. Voting can actually give you the credibility to make your concerns a top priority for legislators.

These are great points. We only have room to gripe about our leadership if we do our part to influence it.

Dale Hogg