Editorial: Local voting

Published 5:01 pm Tuesday, April 17, 2018

We are just a few weeks away from the May general primary election and closer still to the start of early voting. 

Pretty soon, local voters will join electors statewide in casting their primary ballots on the way to deciding our next governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and other statewide elected offices. 

Among the decisions to be made is who will lead the 10th Congressional District. 

While none of the local incumbents are running opposed this year, there are both Democratic and Republican primary races to be decided for the 10th District. 

Incumbent Jody Hice faces a primary challenge from opponents Bradley Griffin and Joe Hunt, while on the Democratic side, Chalis Montgomery, Tabitha A. Johnson-Green and Richard Winfield face off next month to determine who will be on the November ballot. 

From the crisis in Syria, health care, education and beyond, local voters need to know where the candidates stand on important issues. 

There is perhaps no better way to know and understand than by hearing from the candidates directly through a public forum or debate. 

The local community needs a District 10 debate.

We know of no local public debates or forums slated for the District 10 candidates, but if a local group or entity is willing to come forward to plan such an event it would be refreshing and a welcomed asset to voters. 

Now is the time to brush up on where the candidates stand and explore the issues to make a meaningful and impactful decision about who will represent us in Atlanta and in the nation’s capital. The local community needs to know the viewpoints of candidates in the District 10 race in order to understand their platforms and make informed decisions on Election Day. A District 10 Congressional debate is needed in order to facilitate that level of understanding.

We should all remember that the responsibility of executing effective government does not rest solely on the shoulders of politicians but with an active and engaged electorate willing to challenge them and demand answers and results. Hearing from the candidates firsthand and how they respond to questions on issues of national importance is not only relevant but also necessary.

Advance voting begins Monday, April 30. Election Day is Tuesday, May 22. The clock is ticking.