This Tuesday, July 31, is an important election, and all citizens of voting age should perform their civic duty and vote.

Although it’s not the presidential election, which will be held later in November, this July 31 election has many important local races and issues on the ballot. Those who choose a Democratic ballot will be able to have their say in two County Commission races, and the race for county sheriff. Those who choose a Republican ballot will be able to choose which of three candidates will face incumbent U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop in November. And all voters will be able to vote for school board races, and in the T-SPLOST referendum.

T-SPLOST gives voters the opportunity to decide if there should be an additional one-cent sales tax, which will be used for transportation projects and public transit improvements. All citizens pay sales tax, so this is an issue that affects all voters.

The polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters will need to show photo identification at the polls.

Voters who wish to check their voter registration status, locate where they vote, look at a sample ballot and find out more voting-related information, can visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s web site at www.sos.gov/mvp. For more information on the local elections, you can also call the Decatur County Board of Elections office at (229) 243-2087.

Let’s all take advantage of our freedom and the gift to participate in the democratic progress. Millions of soldiers’ lives were lost to win us this right, and it’s something we should never take for granted.