July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Voters have serious work ahead (08/29/2008)
Editorial
With the Democratic National Convention in the rearview mirror and the Republican National Convention on the horizon, it's time for voters to get to work.
There's some serious homework ahead if the fundamental task of citizenship - casting an informed ballot - is to be met.
That's true of every election, but it's especially true this time around.
This year's ballot is loaded from top to bottom with important races and questions that deserve your attention.
So unless you plan to spend half an hour in the voting booth, it makes sense to read up, listen up, and reflect between now and November.
At the top of the ballot, of course, is the presidential contest between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
But that's just the beginning.
The same ballot will have a gubernatorial contest, essentially a referendum on the first term of Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels who is facing a challenge from Democrat Jill Long Thompson.
It will also have a congressional contest between Republican incumbent Mike Pence and returning Democratic challenger Barry Welsh.
And it will have a high-interest campaign between two well-liked Jay County residents - Republican Bill Davis and Democrat Andy Schemenaur - as Davis attempts to return for another term as District 33 Representative in the Indiana House.
As if that weren't enough, there will be the usual selection of courthouse races.
By any normal standard, that would be a full ballot.
But that's not all.
This year, for the first time, voters will be choosing members of the Jay School Board as part of the November general election.
And, for the first time, there will be an important local referendum on the ballot, with county voters having the opportunity to express their opinions on the proposed expansion of the Jay County Jail.
Voting isn't simply about showing up on Election Day.
It's about studying the issues and weighing the candidates, and this year there's plenty of studying and weighing to be done. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
There's some serious homework ahead if the fundamental task of citizenship - casting an informed ballot - is to be met.
That's true of every election, but it's especially true this time around.
This year's ballot is loaded from top to bottom with important races and questions that deserve your attention.
So unless you plan to spend half an hour in the voting booth, it makes sense to read up, listen up, and reflect between now and November.
At the top of the ballot, of course, is the presidential contest between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
But that's just the beginning.
The same ballot will have a gubernatorial contest, essentially a referendum on the first term of Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels who is facing a challenge from Democrat Jill Long Thompson.
It will also have a congressional contest between Republican incumbent Mike Pence and returning Democratic challenger Barry Welsh.
And it will have a high-interest campaign between two well-liked Jay County residents - Republican Bill Davis and Democrat Andy Schemenaur - as Davis attempts to return for another term as District 33 Representative in the Indiana House.
As if that weren't enough, there will be the usual selection of courthouse races.
By any normal standard, that would be a full ballot.
But that's not all.
This year, for the first time, voters will be choosing members of the Jay School Board as part of the November general election.
And, for the first time, there will be an important local referendum on the ballot, with county voters having the opportunity to express their opinions on the proposed expansion of the Jay County Jail.
Voting isn't simply about showing up on Election Day.
It's about studying the issues and weighing the candidates, and this year there's plenty of studying and weighing to be done. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
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