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January 29, 2008

Are you registered to vote in the March 4 Texas primary?

By Bob Belcher The Corsicana Daily Sun Tue Jan 29, 2008, 11:40 PM CST

In the words of the late, great Ronald Reagan ...

“Well, there you go again ...”

Yes, here I go again. And, there is only one thing that will stop me from hopping on my soap box every so often to harp on my favorite topic — voting.

That “one” thing is for you to do so — vote, that is.

According to the Texas Secretary of State, the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the March 4 Texas primary election is Feb. 4. A little simple math tells me that, counting today, you have four business days to get registered, if you are not already. (A check with Danda Parker’s office at the courthouse can answer that question, if you aren’t sure.)

Let’s assume you’ve handled that — or at least plan to do so, by the Feb. 4 deadline.

Now take out a Sharpie or Magic Marker or perhaps an old chunk of charcoal from the grill and mark the date March 4 on your calendar. (Those of you who are “high-tech voters” are welcome to set an alarm in your cell phone to remind you, if you choose to do so.)

The presidential primary system isn’t perfect — we’ve covered that before — but it is the system we have to use. Pick your candidate (while they are still in the running) and cast your vote.

But, we have a bunch of important local issues that need your input, whether you choose to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary. There are contested local races on both ballots. And unlike the big national race, our local candidates are in it for the “long haul.”

If you vote for no other reason at all, it is vital that you voice your choice in our local races.

Voters in Navarro County Precinct 3 have contested races on both tickets for the county commissioner’s seat. The field will be narrowed from four to two for the November election with your vote on March 4.

The races for Navarro County Sheriff and State Representative could very well be decided based on the March 4 vote alone — another reason to be sure to vote in the primary.

With John Jackson’s retirement from the bench, a new district judge will be elected this fall. The primary election has a contested race on the Republican ballot to face a Democrat in November who is unopposed in the primary.

Texans will vote statewide to elect a U.S. Senator. There are contested races on both party ballots in the primary.

And you’ll also be asked to choose which Democrat will run against the unopposed incumbent Republican in the House of Representatives for District 6.

Additionally, several other statewide races could be decided with the votes cast March 4.

Will your vote be one of them?

So while you read the news of John McCain’s victory in Florida and the on-going battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, remind yourself that closer to home we’ve got a lot of important decisions to make as well. Decisions you’ll have to live with for the next two, or four, years.

The voter registration office is in the basement of the Navarro County Courthouse, right across from the elevator and right next to the stairwell that leads up to the tax office.

Tell ‘em Bob sent you.

—————

Bob Belcher is Managing Editor of the Daily Sun. His column appears on Wednesdays and Sundays. He may be reached by e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com.

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Are you registered to vote in the March 4 Texas primary?

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