The polls will be open for 12 hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) on Saturday for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tribal Council general elections.

Here’s hoping everyone eligible goes and votes — after all it’s a Saturday. What’s stopping you?

I can picture my parents running around crazy at 8:15 p.m. on election nights. After working for at least 8 hours, driving my sister and brothers around to play, sports or speech practice, they’d just remember they had about 15 minutes to vote.

How much easier would it have been if they quietly slipped out for a minute or two to head down to the polls while we all watched our Saturday morning cartoons?

I’m sure no one would have minded if they would have been weekend-casual (slippers, coat over the robe) while they cast their votes, either.

They were good examples and got to the polls on time most elections. But it’s hard. For others, who work odd-houred or extended days, it becomes nearly impossible.

A Saturday polling day is something every government should consider.

Those who work weekends (a fewer number) could utilize the already popular mail-in and absentee ballot options. These choices already ease some of the strain.

There are key issues, such as the water rights negotiations and the Kerr Dam talks, facing the Tribal Council today. Health care is another huge issue that is coming to a head this  year.

We couldn’t list here all the other important reasons there are to let your voice be heard through the vote. You know them already.

And it’s on a Saturday — so slip on the slippers and get your vote counted.

Notes from the Newsroom is a biweekly editorial written this week by editor Jenna Cederberg. If you’d like to provide feedback, drop an e-mail to editor@leaderadvertiser.com