Every Vote Counts

This, as we all know, is a midterm election year. That means we’re two years after and two years before the next presidential general election, which is when most people go to the polls to vote.

Midterm elections usually don’t have a large voter turnout but maybe this year will be different, at least in Arkansas.

There is not an incumbent in the governor’s race and the senate race between Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton has become national news.

Democrat Mike Ross is hoping to follow Gov. Mike Beebe as Arkansas governor and so is Republican Asa Hutchinson.

Several amendments on the ballot could pull in voters who want to see those win or be defeated.

The minimum wage amendment is one such amendment and the statewide liquor sales amendment is another one.

Arkansas is one of only three states that has a lower minimum wage than the federal minimum wage. Georgia and Wyoming are the other two states. The Arkansas Minimum Wage Initiative would increase the state’s minimum wage from $6.25 to $7.50 per hour on Jan. 1 2015, $8 on Jan. 1, 2016, and $8.50 on Jan. 1, 2017. This initiative will matter to a lot of people who might go vote in this midterm election.

The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Initiative is another issue that might pull in more voters this year. That initiative, if approved, would legalize the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcohol statewide, which would mean citizens in each county would lose control over whether alcoholic beverages are sold in their cities and towns.

There are mixed opinions on this measure. It could pull in voters on both sides of the issue.

We hope more people will vote in this midterm election. We need to remember this is our democratic right and many people around the world still don’t have this privilege today.

Whether one is Republican, Democrat, Independent — the important thing is to take a few minutes of your time to cast a vote. The same is true on ballot initiatives — vote yes or no — but go vote. It is true that every vote counts.

And remember the local races in west Washington County — the candidates running for mayor and city councils are counting on everyone’s vote too.

Early voting lasts until Oct. 31 and the midterm general election will be on Nov. 4.

Let’s make this a good turnout year for a midyear election.