West Virginians have some important decisions to make Tuesday. In fact, in many ways this year's primary elections will have a greater impact on Mountain State residents' everyday lives than the headline-grabbing general elections in November every four years.
We are deciding the future of our representation in Washington, D.C., yes. But we are also deciding who in our community will sit on local boards of education. We are deciding which candidates are best suited for the chance to represent us in Charleston. We are selecting party candidates for county offices.
These are votes that will make a significant difference in our communities.
It is essential, then, that those who are registered to do so cast their votes, rather than sit out this one. But back in May 2018, the last mid-term primary election, voter turnout was a paltry 26.1% in West Virginia. Slightly less than 321,000 people made decisions for the 1.8 million Mountain State residents who must live with them.
We must do better than that.
Every vote truly does matter. In Ohio County, there's an important race for the Ohio County Board of Education. There are primaries for both political parties in West Virginia's 1st Senatorial District race. Municipal elections are on the ballot. These are the races that will make a difference in how we live our lives, every day.
If you have not already voted via absentee ballot or the early voting process, grab your IDs and get to the polls Tuesday, folks. Your vote does make a difference, and your school district, community and state are counting on you.