Disappointed to say the least. With the political nature of our state and country and all the backstabbing, name calling, and misinformation being spread on social media, it would seem natural that registered voters would do everything possible to make sure they get to the polls. However, at least in West Virginia that didnát happen.

We failed as a state to exercise our right to vote. It’s quite disturbing, especially when our education system, our freedom to information, our religious beliefs, over taxation, overspending, illegal drugs, homelessness, health insurance, abortion, gun control, climate change, and the realistic possibility of a World War lingering are the headlines of every newspaper and TV news station, and we fail to show up at the polls.

We seem satisfied to ride around with obscene bumper stickers and a rebel flag flying next to an American flag, hanging from our vehicles. It’s a shame! and a disgrace. As a state we receive a grade of F when it comes to voter turnout during the midterm elections. What kind of example have people of voting age set for those who can’t vote yet?

We get all excited over presidential elections with nearly 70 percent turning out. Not so with the midterms. The low voter turnout in West Virginia shows only 20-25 percent of registered voters cared enough to make their way to the ballot box to elect people who will vote on our behalf for some very important decisions that affect the future of, well, everybody. That small percent just elected a mayor, city council people, school board members, approved bonds, county officials, and chose Federal, and State representatives for the general election. Voter apathy is one thing. But a 20 percent turnout for an election equals F-FAILURE.

This isn’t the first time election turnout has been low in this great state, but it’s certainly close to the all-time lowest, and with so many life changing issues at hand! We hear a lot about tramping on our voting rights, yet we ignore them ourselves when the time arrives. Keep in mind we are only talking about registered voters. There is another class of people who complain and carry on that don’t even bother to register.

I am ashamed to say Wetzel County and Tyler Counties were among the lowest counties in the state percentage wise to go to the polls. It’s not a tough thing to do, you can go in at anytime once early voting starts. For those who just can’t make it, they can do absentee voting, and then when the day arrives the polls stay open until 7:30 to accommodate everyone.

We can’t just blame millennials on this one, seems there are plenty of Baby Boomers who don’t get out and vote either. The question is why? Do people not care? Do people not know?

Do people feel their vote doesn’t count, and so don’t bother? Was this election not competitive enough?

With 9,624 registered voters in Wetzel County, only 1,061 republicans and 1,127 democrats cast their ballots. In Tyler County it wasn’t much better.

Local elections are the ones that have the most direct impact on residents’ lives. Police departments, libraries and schools all fall under local government jurisdiction, and for homeowners, local government significantly affects their cost of living through taxation. If you really want to be heard, proudly fly the American flag, it’s the one that gave us the right to vote, get rid of the garbage, get off the sofa and go to the polls. Be a real American!