Don’t skip today’s important election

It is election day today in Wisconsin. It isn’t a big election by most standards. There is no race for President or even Mayor on the ballot. But this is an important election nonetheless. In La Crosse county, there are a handful of races for the County Board of Supervisors on the ballot. There is a referendum for voters in the La Crosse School District asking if they are willing to spend about $4 million a year to help keep class sizes down. One important race statewide today is for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. And there is a statewide referendum asking if the office of the Wisconsin State Treasurer should be eliminated. These are important races and important questions. Or at least they should be. But voter turnout in La Crosse County is expected to reach only 25%. Only one quarter of eligible voters are expected to bother to spend a few minutes performing their civic duty today. That means three-quarters of voters will simply stay home. Turnout projections for today are actually slightly higher than a typical spring election, but still shameful. The weather is expected to be a factor today, but if you can venture out to work or to the store, then you can make it to the polls too. Do your part today. Vote. Be a part of our wonderful democracy. It feels good. Can you spare a few minutes today?