Editorial: Think Locally

Written by Cory Twibell Friday, 19 October 2012 00:00

As campaign managers across the country head in to the home stretch, we can expect the usual onslaught of street signs and television ads popping up in the area.

But are a few colorful slabs of cardboard or fleeting bumper stickers enough to influence an election? Probably not, but with this upcoming vote election being a presidential election year traditionally means that more voters will take to the polls, and in turn, more votes will be cast for local elections than in years when a president isn’t being decided.

At a recent meet the candidates’ forum, one incumbent presented a great argument for undecided voters or potential non-voters. The candidate said that because this is a presidential election year, plenty of voters who otherwise wouldn’t be at the polls will be making decisions based on party affiliation or even simply on a whim.

After you’ve made up your mind between Obama and Romney, take a look at local elected officials, their challengers and what they stand for – these are the people who will have the most noticeable impact on our communities following Nov. 6.

- C.T.