George Jean Nathan said it best “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” I tend to agree with him.

The election process captivates me. What began my curiosity was my introduction to it in 1998 when I started in journalism. I worked for the local newspaper in Brown County and my boss made it mandatory that all employees vote. She was darn serious about it. Now, I don’t think she could have actually forced us to vote and I’m not sure everyone listened, but as a naïve 20-year-old I didn’t mess with her.

I registered and will admit that the first time I voted I was terrified. I had no idea what to do. There was a large crowd of people standing outside the fire department, my precinct, and they all began handing me rulers, little notepad and other things with their candidate’s name. Then after walking in the door I approached several people sitting at a table. They asked me my name looked it up on this large printed ledger, and had me sign it. I also had to show my driver’s license. This was a primary election.

For those who have never voted in a primary election before, be forewarned. No one told me that you had to declare your party. I just stared at the poll workers and most likely looked like a fool. Luckily, they took the time to explain the process to me. At a primary election you are voting for a specific party’s candidates. You can only vote on one party’s ballot. I voted on the Democrat ballot that first time. In a general election, all the candidates are on one ballot. This is where you can cross the party lines and choose the best candidate for the job.

Some people are 100 percent Republican and some people are 100 percent Democrat. I, for one, have gone both ways much to the dismay of my very Republican father-in-law. I’ve learned over the last 10 years that politics can be a touchy subject, kind of like religion. The first time I told my father-in-law that I voted Democrat; he sat me down and spent some time explaining why I had made the wrong decision. I tend to keep my choices to myself now.

Then came the 2000 presidential race, which was so exciting. I watched coverage for weeks and became somewhat of an advocate for why it is important to vote. What a close race! I voted for Al Gore, so my guy didn’t win, but I was not deterred.

One of the first things I did when I moved back to Loogootee last May was register to vote. I had been away from Loogootee for about 13 years so I was not sure where my long-lost friends from here stood on politics. I’ve learned since that they have no stand, not one of them votes. My husband never has either. I was disappointed to see his name had fallen off the register at the last election. He registered in high school but never actually voted.

I guess I don’t understand how people can gripe and complain about government but yet they don’t exercise their right to choose who is in government? And pretty much everybody complains about government.

I refuse to believe that my vote does not count. It is a cop out and if you have enough people who say that then obviously it would make a difference in an election. Another excuse is “I’m not informed enough to make a decision.” So get informed! With today’s technology, there is absolutely no excuse to not know a candidate’s values and ideas. We have television, Internet, and good old-fashioned newspapers. You just have to take the initiative and pay attention.

Today, with the tight race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, I am beside myself with intrigue. I was up late watching when Ohio and Texas were too close to call. I can’t wait until tomorrow’s primary.

Many would say that we chose the wrong guy in the last election. I voted for George Bush. I’m not sure why I did; I think I was just scared to let someone else jump in after all that had happened with 9/11 and the war. I think many felt the same way.

Now I am ready for a change, and have been ready. From healthcare in this country, to the economy to NAFTA, to foreign relations, there are so many issues we face. Now is the time to exercise your right as citizens of the United States and vote.

It’s hard to describe that feeling of walking into the tiny curtained booth, marking your ballot and then inserting it into the ballot-eating machine and waiting for the beep to let you know that your vote counted. It really does feel good.

So, for the sake of our country and our rights as Americans try it.

n Courtney Hughett is a correspondent for the Times-Herald. She covers most of Martin County, where she lives with her husband and children.