Voters, it's up to you

Just vote. 

That’s a simple, but important message, with Election Day on Tuesday. Your vote can and will make a difference. 

But only if you vote. 

If you don’t vote, well, you have only yourself to blame if you’re not happy with the outcome. If you don’t vote, you’re basically saying you don’t care. 

But this, as we all know, is a community that cares, and we believe there will be strong turnout to check ballot boxes.

There is much at stake. Fire and school district levies face their fate. Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Spirit Lake, Harrison and State Line have the mayor’s office on the ballot. Those cities, along with Athol, Dalton Gardens, Fernan Lake Village, Hauser, Huetter, Hayden, Rathdrum and Worley have city council posts being contested. School and fire districts have trustee and commissioner seats up for grabs. 

These are posts that influence what happens in the communities you call home. Don't leave it to others to decide who represents you. Don’t let your neighbors alone being the ones who turn out on Election Day.

If you don't think one vote matters, consider these cases summarized by howstuffworks.com:

2008 Alaska House of Representatives District 7 Election: Republican Rep. Mike Kelly won re-election by a vote of 5,018 to 5,017 over Democratic challenger Karl Kassel — but only after overseas absentee ballots were counted.

The tiny village of Clyman, Wis., population 488, isn't a place that's in the news much. But in April 2017, Clyman had an extremely tight race for the post of board chairperson. David Blank, a local fire captain, received 101 votes to 100 for runner-up Mark Othmer. 

They say close doesn't count except for horseshoes and hand grenades. Add elections to that short list.

We also want to say well done to every candidate. This election has been respectful, courteous and above board. No cheap shots. No late attack ads. Candidates have avoided making disparaging remarks about their opponent. They have taken the high road rather than try to belittle their competition. They have offered what strengths they bring to the table. We are pleasantly surprised, but not entirely. We have seen the political sides find more common grounds and battle grounds.

Here are a few quotes we hope motivate you to be part of the political process Tuesday. 

“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” — Thomas Jefferson 

“Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world.” — Roald Dahl 

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." — Plato 

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." — John F. Kennedy 

"The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter." — Dwight D. Eisenhower 

Good luck to every candidate. Let’s honor their campaign efforts by voting.

It matters.