Be an informed voter and make a difference

Should everyone vote, or should only those people who have taken the extra time to be informed be allowed to cast a ballot on the first Tuesday in November?

I have always believed in the sacred right to vote for anyone older than 18 who isn't spending time in prison for convicting a felony.

This country has fought wars and many people have died for your right to vote. Our country is held up to the world as a shining light a participatory democracy.

So why is it that less than 50 percent of eligible voters actually participate in this relatively painless act?

Bonner County has broken a record for registered voters as well as voters who have requested an absentee ballot. We aren't alone.

There are more voters registered in the United States this year than anytime in history.

But I am worried. I have read more stories, watched more TV specials and experienced the fact that there are a lot of people who have no idea what the important matters of the day are and who is running for.

I believe that the more informed you are, the more likely you are to vote. If a person hasn't spent much time learning the issues, he might not be as invested in getting out on election day.

The Bee and the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to a free meet the candidates night this Wednesday at Sandpoint High School. The event begins at 6 p.m. but the candidates will be there around 5:30 to meet and answer questions.

After a brief introduction and question and answer period, the candidates will move to tables where they will be available to answer questions in a face-to-face format.

I guarantee if you attend you will learn something new about at least one candidate.

Also, be on the alert for:

• Bee voters guide in the Bee and online on Oct. 29.

• Sample ballot in the Bee on Oct. 30.

• Several other candidate forums.

Give yourself the gift of meeting the candidates and learning about the issues by getting involved and becoming better informed.

I hope to see you Wednesday at Sandpoint High School.

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.