Slice of Life

After a short drive down Highway 200 or through any neighborhood in Sanders County, it becomes apparent an election is underway. Candidates have filed, signs are up, meet and greets and candidate forums are being held. Letters to the editor in support of one candidate or another are appearing. Some of us may wonder, “What’s the fuss about?”

In the United States we are fortunate to have free elections. A right not granted to all citizens of the world and a right that was hard fought for by generations before us. Multiple amendments to the Constitution of the United States have been ratified. The 15th, preventing discrimination based on race, color or previous servitude; or the 19th, allowing women the right to vote (finally); and the 24th, preventing poll taxes and literacy tests, come to mind. These amendments have addressed who is allowed to vote, and how they can vote, and evolves with our society. Each of those amendments represents a hard-won battle for those moving it forward. Each of these change makers knew the value of the vote they were working to protect and promote. In some election years I have had pause to wonder if we still understand the value of our right to vote, as so many don’t take time to turn out and exercise that right.

I recall the time I was elected in Lincoln County, Oregon, to a local school committee position. I won with 11 votes. Out of an entire county, 11 votes. Not 11 votes more than my opponent, just 11 votes. Less than 25 percent of the county had even bothered to vote in that election, yet I was then empowered to sell district equipment, determine building usage and determine how funding would be spent. I was happy to serve but shocked and concerned at the lack of interest from the constituents. A concern I have continued to have since then.

In the political climate of today it appears as if people are again placing value in voting and are ready to exercise their right to cast a ballot expressing their opinions. I am encouraged to see this change. I believe the only way to protect our right to have free elections is to participate in them. I encourage you all to register to vote if you are not already. If you are not sure if your voter’s registration is up to date, if you’re not sure if you are registered to vote or think it’s too late to register for the upcoming elections, I urge you to contact the Sander’s County Election office. I spoke with Bobbi Christenson, who asked you call her at (406) 827-6949 or Teresa Meagher at (406) 827-6929. Both are willing and ready to answer questions and help you get on track to cast your ballot in the upcoming election.

Is voting just about registering? In my opinion, no. Part of being a competent voter is to complete your due diligence prior to the election. Due diligence is defined as “a process that involves conducting an investigation, review or audit to verify facts about a particular subject.” How can you conduct due diligence before an election? You can start with printed media. Read what candidates print for voters to see. Read election pamphlets. Plan to attend a few candidate forums to hear what the candidates have to say and then plan to ask how they will address your concerns if elected. If you don’t share your concerns, how will they know what’s important to you? Ask people who have worked with or for the candidates how they were as coworkers or bosses. Attend meet and greets, a more relaxed environment to meet the candidates on a less formal level. Try a phone call, leave a message. A serious candidate will always try to call you back. Candidates want to meet you and if they are willing to spend their time traveling the county to meet you, take your time to get out and say hi.

President John F Kennedy said: “The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” By taking time to do some due diligence we can all head to the polls a little better educated about the people we are placing in charge of various areas of our lives. Whether it is how our children, entrusted to our schools, will be educated, how our law enforcement will function, how our sewer districts will grow, the vision for our community’s growth in tourism or industry, or on a larger scale our state’s direction or even the future of our nation, each election will bring change. Each of the ballots we cast carries weight moving our society in one direction or another. As President Barack Obama said in 2009, “elections have consequences.” And so they do. From regulations to taxation, it begins at the polls and with your vote and who is placed in office.

We have several important elections coming up in Sanders County. Make sure you are legally ready to cast a ballot. Do your due diligence. Vote timely. Then stay engaged in your community to make sure those you place in office carry out their duties as they said they would. And as my father has always been fond of reminding people, “if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” Protect all your rights. Please vote.

Chelle is a recovering social worker who currently works as a licensed massage therapist at Cherry Creek Myotherapy. She moved to Montana with her husband David and two pups, Lucas and Turner, where they seek “the quiet life” amid new adventures.