Noblesville reader: voting responsibly means being educated

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Dear Editor:

In less than two months, Hamilton County voters will have the privilege of performing their most important civic duty by casting their vote in the midterm elections. In the 2022 midterm elections, only 48 percent of Hamilton County’s registered voters (per the Secretary of State website) exercised their right to vote. That was down from 58 percent in the 2018 midterm elections.

I am urging all registered voters to get out and vote; and if you are not registered, get registered! Our privilege of voting is our opportunity to be heard. If you like what is going on, this is your opportunity to support those who are doing the work. If you don’t like what is going on, this is your opportunity to make a change in who is doing the work.

Our privilege of voting carries with it the responsibility to cast an “educated” vote. Take the time to learn about for whom you are voting. Look past the “labels” (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, conservative, liberal, independent, etc.) and what you hear in negative campaign ads or what one candidate has to say about the other.

Take the time to educate yourself about the candidate’s character and the reasons they are seeking the position. Go to their websites and find out where they stand on issues that are important to you and the position they are seeking. Determine if they are going to be willing to work with their colleagues on the other side of the aisle and collaborate with them to develop legislation that is non-partisan. Determine if they are going to vote in the best interest of their constituents or if they going to do what the party leadership tells them to do.

Are they going to represent you?

Voting is a privilege and it is your duty as a citizen. It is your part in the political process.

Come Election Day, do your duty. Exercise your privilege. Get out and VOTE!

Steve Vernick
Noblesville