According to the Lowndes County Elections Office, a dismal 1,148 voters turned out for early, advance and absentee voting. That’s barely two percent of the registered voters in the county.

Where are you, voters? There are two Valdosta City Council seats up for grabs, four Valdosta Board of Education seats, two Hahira City Council and one Dasher City Council seat, plus the countywide referendum on expanding the Lowndes County Commission from three to five voting commissioners.

Do you not care? Do you not understand that your vote counts? Do you not understand your civic responsibility?

Unless you go to the polls today and cast your ballot, you should not be allowed to speak at any forum, at any council meeting, at any commission meeting. You should have to forfeit your right to speak out against decisions made by the commissioners and councilmen.

Maybe then you would take your right to vote more seriously. Some would say they’re exercising their right not to vote. But considering how hard women and minorities fought for that very right; how much blood was shed just to be able to cast a ballot in this country; and how many voters in other countries desperately want those same freedoms, it’s unbelievable that there are more than 56,000 residents of Lowndes County who choose not to participate.

Take time out of your busy day. Go to your precinct and vote. Be a part of the democratic process. Be a part of making the decisions that affect us all. Vote.