Register to vote

Americans elect a new president and decide any number of other races and issues four weeks from Tuesday. Voter turnout in Missouri is expected to be much higher than normal for November.

To vote, you need to be registered. You only have to register once, unless you move, and most regular voters registered long ago. But this election is bringing more than a normal number of new voters to sign up. In Missouri, the deadline to register for this election is this Wednesday.

It’s not difficult. Call the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners at 816-325-4600 or go to http://jceb.co.jackson.mo.us/

Missouri will probably continue to get a good deal of attention from the presidential candidates as polls show the McCain-Obama race here to be close. The state is also electing a new governor, electing state legislators and deciding ballot issues ranging from gambling to renewable energy. All of these will affect the future of our communities, our state and our country. It’s important that as many citizens as possible stand up and have their say in this discussion.