Votes matter: Many across state almost lost their chance to effect change

Not too many people decided to get out and vote for their Goldsboro City Council members and mayor Tuesday.

Call it disillusionment, or just plain laziness, but the minuscule turnout was not just reflected in the local races, either.

It looks like most of North Carolina voters decided to stay home.

And while there is some reason to understand why voters might have boycotted the elections -- it hasn't been the best year for politicians -- it is scary. A very, very small minority of North Carolina and Goldsboro residents determined the future for the rest of their community.

People often think that by not voting, they are sending a message. In fact, what they are doing is abdicating their right to determine what happens in their city, state or nation.

And that is not a right you want to give away so cavalierly.

While a primary election might not seem as important, a municipal election is very definitely significant. And as you can see by the results reported from Tuesday night, there were almost some pretty big changes in city government.

And maybe a message needed to be sent. Perhaps city leaders needed to feel just a touch vulnerable. Maybe a challenge is a good thing.

But the bottom line is, there are some pretty important decisions coming down the pike.

And this is not the year to sit on the sidelines.

Tuesday certainly proved that point.

Published in Editorials on July 18, 2012 11:11 AM