Finally, we’re here. It’s Election Day, and we all need to be getting out to vote.
This hasn’t been easy.
We’ve learned since Nov. 6, when we thought Election Day was held and finished short of the canvass of votes, that Bladen County has been poorly misguided by previous election boards and election shenanigans have been more the rule than the exception. It’s embarrassing.
And yet, nobody stepped forward — or at least, not enough so to get something done — so our county continued its merry way with accusations aplenty but corrective actions conspicuous by absence. There’s little to no evidence, so far, to suggest misdeeds were limited to a single political party, political action committee or individual.
As the newly formed, and still one member short, Bladen County Board of Elections has moved forward, the revelations of past activity — or lack thereof — have been jaw-dropping not only to us but representation from the state board in attendance at their meetings.
The long road to confidence in our elections has begun. The public is the final jury, and there’s no timetable for a stamp of approval.
Certainly, we’re still in the infant stages.
And that’s a part of why making sure to cast a ballot today is important. Without our effort, corrective measures by state or local election boards won’t get tested.
We need them fully tested.
Again, that’s just a part of the current events.
Fraudulent activity not withstanding, at every chance we should exercise our right to be part of this planet’s greatest democracy. That’s right, it is — flaws, warts and all.
Think otherwise? Take a look at how many people want to be here. Take a look at how many people are in countries with elections that are routinely questioned, that are held where the video includes armed personnel at the polls.
We should always be casting a vote; the recent exposure of egregious actions should fuel incentive, not diminish it.
So here we go. Some have already voted, and the rest of us have our duty.
There is a supervisor seat for the Bladen County Soil & Water Conservation District board, the District 3 seat for the county commissioners, and the Republican primary for North Carolina’s District 9 seat into the U.S. House.
Earl Storms, Charles Wendell Gillespie and Tim Gause have stepped forward for the Soil & Water seat. Russell Priest and Wayne Edge have for the commissioner race.
And Stevie Rivenbark Hull, Matthew Ridenhour, Stony Rushing, Fern Shubert, Dr. Albert Lee Wiley, Chris Anglin, state Sen. Dan Bishop, Leigh Thomas Brown, Kathie C. Day and Gary Dunn have vowed to serve us in the U.S. House.
Not all of us will do that. Their willingness to serve deserves our respect.
We translate that by getting to the polls to cast a vote.