But Election Day is still D-Day for this year’s campaigns – your last chance to have a voice in choosing our top leaders.
Start at the top with the presidential race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. What could be more important than choosing our commander-in-chief, the person who will represent the United States around the world and lead our powerful nation for the next four years? This is no Dweedledee-Dweedledum choice. Obama and Romney represent two completely different mindsets about how government should function.
How about governor? When people talk about North Carolina history – the state’s struggles and its successes – often a governor’s name is attached to the story. Voters will choose between Democrat Walter Dalton and Republican Pat McCrory, men with long records of leadership and strong views on how state government should proceed.
Two seats on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners are also at stake on Tuesday. This may be your most powerful vote, the race in which your choice will directly affect the community in which you live. Rowan needs to raise its profile as a good county in which to live, start a business, get an education and more. Who can move us in a positive direction? The candidates are Leda Belk, Mike Caskey, Craig Pierce and Ralph Walton – Democrat, Republican, Republican and Democrat, respectively.
The list of critical races goes on – a seat on the N.C. Supreme Court, three seats on the school board, Council of State offices ranging from secretary of state to commissioner of agriculture. You don’t have to vote on them all, but if you want to know more about any of these races, use the Voter’s Guide in Section F today. It also includes a sample ballot.
Your vote is your voice, your chance to shape government and our nation’s future. That democratic right is one of our country’s most fundamental principles. We the people choose our leaders. There’s never been a more important time to exercise that right.