The responsibility to vote is an essential part of the democratic process. It is vitally important that each citizen understand his/her role in that process. We read in the news daily about countries where citizens are denied the right to vote and we are the lucky ones who have that right. The decisions made by elected officials impact each of us on a daily basis . If you do not vote, you are allowing others to elect those decision-makers for you.

Mayor and former civics teacher Sue Hack

What a funny question. I love to vote. I love election-day excitement, when power shifts and reframes the future of community, state, and nation. I love exchanging bland pleasantries with neighbors on line, each with their own perceptions, all committed to exercising constitutional rights. I love it that votes count equally from rich and poor, elderly and youthful, landowner and renter. I love the old lady clerks and their lyrical penmanship of gentler times. I love being alone in the booth with my ballot and hopes. Voting adds meaning to life and binds generations to Democracy. What’s not to love?

County Commissioner Charles Jones

Why do you vote? Send your answer in 100 words or less to the News Center, 645 New Hampshire St. 66044, or e-mail it to letters@ljworld.com. We’ll publish some of the best responses between now and the Nov. 5 election.