Be sure to make your vote count

By: Business Monday - Jim Charapich | Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: November 05, 2012

 Updated: November 05, 2012 - 12:00 AMThe Elections for 2012 are tomorrow and we all have a responsibility to vote. This responsibility comes from a long tradition in our country of expressing your views by vote. We are all aware of the sacrifice that we have borne and continue to bear as our armed forces dedicate themselves to protecting this precious freedom.

I hear individuals from time to time suggest that their vote does not count and that they do not plan to vote. Of course, the very freedom that we have to vote provides for the same freedom to those who choose to abstain. It is unfortunate that there are those who do not observe their right to vote with same importance as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve it.

In addition to voting, we have a responsibility to be an informed voter. There are many issues to be determined this election. As voters we are tasked with finding the information that is important to discern our choices for representation. I find that in business the most risky people are “those that do not know what they do not know”. As voters, we are responsible to know what we need to know to make an educated decision.

Our Candidate Forum for Culpeper Board of Supervisors Salem District and Commonwealth Attorney was held at the Reva Volunteer Fire Station last Thursday. I was very pleased that there were more than 150 in attendance. The voter engagement was excellent. If you are interested in seeing the forum you may find it at CMN.PEGCENTRAL.COM or you may also find the event on your local Comcast or Verizon - Culpeper Media Network Cable Channel.

There will be two Constitutional Amendments to consider on the ballot. According to Mary Dale, Chair, Culpeper Electoral Board, voting can take an average of four minutes if you are not familiar with the amendments and choose to read them. This can slow voting down at the polls substantially as it normally takes about 90 seconds to vote. If you would like to be more informed about the constitutional amendments go to http://www.culpeperchamber.com/  and click on the link “Proposed Constitutional Amendments.”

Make plans to vote on Tuesday Nov. 6, and make sure that your vote counts….

Charapich is the President/CEO of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at jimc@culpeperchamber.com.