Election Day is your chance to have your say, so don't miss it

This has been a pleasant election season in Kootenai County. Little mudslinging. Few attack ads. Few reports of stolen or missing political signs. No one condemning their opposition as unworthy of office.

And best of all, many letters to the editor that were, for the most part, devoid of nasty name-calling and childish insults, and instead primarily focused on real issues that matter to people. Even the writers for and against Proposition 1 have expressed why they stand where they stand, rather than criticizing those who don't think like they do.

Perhaps the relative calm is because the office of president of the United States is not on the ballot, which always stirs up emotions for every party and every citizen. It's been refreshing, almost as if people are being respectful of each other.

Now comes the most important part: Election Day.

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters will head to the polls. Lots of voters, we hope. The bigger the turnout, the better. Much is at stake, starting with the offices of Idaho's governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state. In Congress, Idaho's senator and representative posts will be decided by voters, along with North Idaho College trustee seats and legislative seats.

It's a full slate.

There is Prop 1, which is described as a "Measure creating right to abortion before fetus viability, and post-viability to protect health; right to privacy; healthcare provider liability protections," according to voteidaho.gov. 

There's also this one: “Shall Article X of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended by the addition of a new Section 8, to provide that the English language shall be the official language for the state of Idaho."

And this: “Shall Section 26, Article III of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended to provide that only the Idaho Legislature shall have power and authority to legalize the growing, producing, manufacturing, transporting, selling, delivering, dispensing, administering, prescribing, distributing, possessing, or using of marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances?” 

Voters will even be picking the designated state gun of Idaho, although this is "a non-binding measure, and the Legislature would have to take action during a future legislative session to officially designate a gun as the Idaho State Gun."

You get the idea. There may not be a presidential candidate on the ballot, but there's plenty of issues and candidates that can and will affect your future.

So, please get to the polls. Your vote matters, If you need a little inspiration, here's what a few pretty important people had to say on the matter:

"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters."  — Abraham Lincoln

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” — John F. Kennedy

And finally: 

"Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote . ..that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country." — Samuel Adams