Taking my voting seriously

During an election year, I do my homework.

You won’t see me at the voting booth with a “I’m not sure” look on my face.

No way. I study the candidates like I am getting ready to take the ACTs.

To me, an influential person is an informed person.

Yes. I read all of the articles on the candidate forums in the Green River Star, but I don’t stop there. I Google them and read about the candidates as much as I can.

When they are national or state candidates I tune into Wyoming PBS to see what they have to say. I also pay attention to how a candidate votes on issues I care about throughout the years.

For those who do not vote, they are missing out. Politics is interesting and in some cases the best candidate doesn’t always win. I can honestly say I have voted for many who never made it into office.

Do I regret it? No. I am sad when a good candidate doesn’t dust themselves off and try again.

When I vote, I really do feel like I have a say in where the community, state and nation is going. It is a way for me to feel like I am making a difference, even if I live in the least populated state.

People seem to forget, that one vote does really make a difference. There were a couple times since I moved here, that an election was too close to call; and a recount was necessary.

If you didn’t get out and vote, then in my opinion you shouldn’t complain about the results. After all, you had a chance to make your opinion know and you opted out.

All of it leads up to the big reveal: the results. Sometimes I am disappointed, other times I rejoice.

One thing I think we can all rejoice over is the fact that all those political signs will be coming down soon.

Now, don’t get me wrong I understand why a candidate needs to put them up.

It’s all about name recognition, but sometimes I think there are just too many. Do you really need to put up two or three signs in a row? I think one is sufficient.

For me, this is a turnoff. I will not be swayed by how pretty the design of a sign is or if it has a photo on it. I don’t care about those things. All I care about is whether or not the candidate is going to do a good job while in office. So while these tactics may work on other voters, it’s a waste of time for me.

The one sign that truly stands out in my mind is the one that was put up as a joke. That’s right. We have all seen in on our way into town. The “Tyler Samz Rules” sign. I say “way to go.”

I only wish I would have thought of that first.