National polls show that less than 10 percent of Americans think the federal government is doing a good job. That’s a shame! If you’re guilty of trashing those we’ve  elected to serve us on the national level now’s the time to do something about.

Next week, (Tues., March 1) you and I will have the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Primary Election. The choices we make then could have a greater impact on our lives than the candidates we elect in the November General Election.

In this election, we’ll choose the party nominees we want to represent us in each office up for election. The nominees will range from President and U.S. Senator to Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and member of the Morgan County Board of Education.  The result will be”winner take all” in some cases.

While it is important for us to help move the presidential race forward, it may be even more important to choose qualified leaders who will directly affect our lives on a daily basis. Local and state elected officials have a lot more to say about how we live our lives than the President does.

It’s our county commissioners and municipal officials that provide services such as law enforcement, parks and recreation, garbage collection, utilities and storm shelters. Working together, they help create good-paying jobs and grow successful businesses.

Our U.S. Senator and Representatives are the ones that help us obtain federal grants for community improvement projects such as fire fighting equipment, airport upgrades, flood mitigation and infrastructure improvements. If we don’t elect the best-qualified candidates for these positions, our quality of life will suffer.

Therefore, it is important for every citizen to be involved in supporting the elective process. If your are 18 or older, register to vote, learn all you can about the candidates and cast an informed ballot.

Remember, every vote counts because it takes only one vote to make a majority and win or lose an election.

Our hope is that we’ll have a high voter turnouts in Morgan County for next Tuesday’s Primary Election. Getting involved in the elective process is the only way  to ensure that our government is working in our best interest. Voting matters!

Clif Knight is a staff writer for the Hartselle Enquirer.