Sign up to vote by Tuesday to have say in Nov. election

One month from today, residents of the Mahoning Valley and Ohio once again will have the opportunity to exercise their biannual privilege of suffrage, the right to vote in a free democracy.

But with history as a reliable indicator, don’t expect many long lines at Valley polling places come Nov. 7.

Depressingly low voter turnout in odd-year local election cycles is disheartening. Turnout typically tumbles to only half of voter participation seen in even-year state and national election cycles. In this May’s local primary races, turnout was less than 20 percent in much of the Mahoning Valley.

Truth be told, results of electing city, township and village candidates for community governments and casting ballots on tax issues for or against school districts or local roads wield a much greater direct impact on state and local residents than voters’ choices to be their next president, congressman or senator.

As such, we’d like to see that dismal trend reversed. The first step is ensuring the foundation is strong with a large pool of eligible voters. The first big deadline for next month’s election occurs Tuesday, when voter registration ends for this general election.

HOW YOU CAN REGISTER

If you are not registered, you can visit your county’s board of elections offices – in Mahoning County, they’re in the Oakhill Renaissance Place office complex on Oak Hill Avenue – Monday during normal business hours and for extended hours till 9 p.m. Tuesday.

To register in person, applicants need either their driver’s license number or last four digits of their Social Security number on their written application. Once registered, voters can begin to cast their ballots Wednesday as early voting commences at boards of election offices. Those offices will remain open, including with special hours the Saturday and Sunday before the election, to make the task as easy and convenient as can be.

Convenience aside, your vote can make a real diffference in shaping the future of your community. Several races throughout the Mahoning Valley in recent years have been decided by a mere handful of votes.

Voting also serves as one concrete means that residents can actually fight city halls – or township government centers or school district offices. Those critical public institutions are owned by the taxpayers. As responsible stewards, those taxpayers should have their say on who’s in charge and how much of their hard-earned wages should be funneled into them.

To do so, however, one must first be registered to vote. If you are not, make it a point to do so by 9 p.m. Tuesday.