Well, the time has finally arrived. In three days, voters across the Kootenays will go to the polls and elect, or in some cases re-elect, a council, mayor, school trustee or regional district representative.
It seems fitting to be going to the polls now, especially considering on Tuesday we were all paying homage to those who have fallen in battle.
Remembrance Day ceremonies remind us of the sacrifices made by brave young men and women who laid down their lives, so we could still have the right to vote.
They defended democracy and allowed us to live in a world where we are free to choose a government, whether it be municipal, provincial or federal.
Voters should remember that it is not only a right to vote, but a hard won privilege.
Sure some campaigns have been more heated than others. Some controversies have occurred and heated debates have broken out. But that time is almost over.
The candidates have done their jobs. Signs have been posted, speeches have been given and hands have been shaken.
We in the media have also done our jobs. Stories written, meetings covered and ads sold.
Now it’s time for your job.
It’s the public that decides the outcome of any election, not the media, not the campaign managers and not the candidates. It’s time for you to do your job.
On Saturday get out and vote. There is nothing more important than to take part in the democratic process. It should be mandatory.
No excuse is good enough to stop you from doing your duty.
Don’t waste this opportunity to do the very thing that young men and women fought for and died to defend.
Cast your ballot.
