Much at stake in election

As we look back over the past 40 years, we do not believe there has been an election with more at stake than the voting which will take place Tuesday in the 2004 general election. History is in the making ... in so many ways.

First, there is the presidential election, which is neck-and-neck just hours before voting begins. Then, in Nebraska, there are the gambling questions posed by Amendment 3 and Initiative Petitions 417 through 420, with both those for and those against claiming that they have the advantage in the polls.

Added to that, locally and regionally, are extremely important choices for a number of hotly contested races, including the Natural Resource District board openings and the Southwest District board positions.

Candidates and amendment advocates are getting in their last licks today, but very soon the responsibility for decisions will shift to the voters.

More people are registered to vote than ever before, with the registration total now standing at 8,092 in Red Willow County. But how many of those will bother to exercise their privilege to cast ballots?

Red Willow County Clerk Pauletta Gerver is optimistic. "There has been more participation and publicity about this election than any I have ever been associated with," she said. "I'm hoping that translates into a good turnout."

Looking back, voter numbers have varied widely in Red Willow County. In the 2000 election -- which pitted George Bush against Al Gore in the presidential race -- a total of 5,084 citizens voted in Red Willow County.

In the non-presidential election of 2002, the general election turnout dropped to 3,765 in the county, and, in this year's primary, the voter turnout in Red Willow County was 3,277.

With all the important issues to be decided, the downward trend in voting should be reversed. But, whether that happens or not, the important thing is you and your vote.

It is you, as an individual voter, who holds the power. It's up to you to express your viewpoints ... to select your preferences for the positions of public service to guide the town, the area and the nation.

We cannot control what others do. But we can do our part. We can vote in one of the most important elections in modern history.