Busy schedules are often put forth as a worthy excuse which prevents us from voting, but we hope you make 15 minutes in your day to vote in today’s primary election.

Nine candidates are vying for the chance to go up against three incumbent candidates in Freeborn Countys Districts 1, 3 and 5; and two are hoping for a shot at a city council seat against the incumbent in Albert Lea’s 5th Ward. Your vote will definitely have an impact.

One argument &045; individual votes don’t count &045; doesn’t hold water in a local election such as today’s.

It’s easy to forget to vote when our day is packed with important activities and tasks relevant to our jobs or vital to quality family life, but the local leaders chosen today will have a say &045; if they win in the general election &045;

on issues affecting our quality of life, our jobs and even how we spend our money. Don’t miss the opportunity to choose the person you feel will work for you by visiting your polling site.

Whether you like where city and county governement are headed, but

particularly if you aren’t satisfied with previously elected officials and their decisions, what you have to say matters today.

Don’t sit back and let someone else make the decision on who can best lead our community and our county into the future.

Imagine living where you have no vote. Troops have guarded and protected this right for more than 200 years, that’s how important they feel our right to vote is &045; they are willing to die for it.

Let’s not have them believe we don’t appreciate the right to vote which they are willing to die protecting for U.S. citizens or procurring for citizens around the world.