Dear Minot:
It’s hard to believe, but the election is almost here.
Campaigns for local, state, and national offices have been in full swing for weeks, and that means voters soon have an important job to do. How we, as voters, cast our ballots will decide which direction our local government agencies proceed into the future, as well as how our state and federal leaders will approach their next term in office.
That means as voters, we have an enormous responsibility. I urge all of you not to shy away from that duty. I offer my humble advice for members of the public who will decide how to fill many important election positions on June 11.
-I hope you’re all informed voters. And by that I mean several things: I hope you’ve done your own research. Don’t just believe what someone else tells you or something you see on social media. If you have a question for a specific candidate, there’s still time to reach out to them. Most of them have social media pages for their campaigns, or in the case of City Council incumbents, their contact information is on the City of Minot website.
-Be part of the process. The election process works best when voters are actively engaged. Showing up at the polling site on election day and choosing candidates because you’ve heard their name from your family or friends isn’t good enough. As responsible residents, it’s our duty to know who we are voting for, and to know the positions of those candidates on issues that we consider important.
-Ask your own questions. Again, just because you read it on social media doesn’t mean it’s true. If you have questions about the Ward County budget and how the school board candidates would approach taxes in the future, do some research, and reach out to them. Don’t rely on others for all your information.
-If the candidates for a local office are taking part in a public forum, attend the event or watch it on social media if it’s still available. The more you hear candidates discuss the issues in a public setting, the more informed you’ll be about their positions. Hearing the candidates speak in person also gives you a better sense of who they are and how they handle themselves when they’re put on the spot. These type of events also give you the opportunity to follow candidates to see if they’ve changed their opinions on certain issues, and why they may have altered their stance.
-Stay true to your personal beliefs. If local budget issues are at the top of your list, don’t be afraid to support the candidate who best aligns with your visions, even if it’s a candidate that you might not know personally. On a national level, if immigration or voting rights are your priority, support the candidates who share your stances.
The most important thing to remember this election season is this: It’s your vote. This is your opportunity to insure that your voice is heard. Make your vote count.
You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.