Don't let other decide

The Nov. 3 general election will decide a number of races and issues important to residents of the city of Amherst. Three state issues -- including a proposal to allow casino gambling in Ohio -- a replacement income tax for the city and a sales tax increase for the county, and contested races for city council and the city treasurer will all be on the ballot in Amherst.

We can't imagine anyone would not want to be involved in such important decisions with such far-reaching impacts. We would be appalled if a dictator came into power and issued decrees without our input, but we allow that to happen when we fail to vote.

The presidential election of 2008 saw unprecedented numbers of people voting, with the highest percentage of eligible voters casting ballots since 1968. Still the national voter turnout was only about 63 percent of all eligible voters.

Amherst boasted the highest turnout in Lorain County, with a little more than 80 percent of eligible voters turning out. That left nearly 20 percent of eligible voters willing to go along with the decisions of their neighbors, whether or not they agreed with those decisions.

But that was an historic election, and presidential elections always produce higher turnouts. In the last council election, less than 40 percent of eligible voters in Amherst went to the polls.

In difficult times such as these, we can not afford to allow 40 percent of eligible voters decide if we're going to pay more income tax or sales tax. We need the council members we elect to have a clear mandate from the people; and that can only happen if all the people participate in the election.

With expanded absentee and early voting options, the board of elections has removed many of the excuses many have used over the years to avoid casting a ballot. If you can't make it to the polls on Election Day, you can arrange to have your vote counted anyway using these options.

The only requirement the board could not change is the need to register to vote. The deadline to register for the November general election is Monday, Oct. 5.

Registration forms are available at the Amherst Public Library and at many other public buildings. It takes only a few minutes to fill one out, yet it opens up tremendous opportunities for participation in government.

We urge our readers to register and to vote on Election Day. Don't let others decide for you where you want Amherst to go.