This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is not the opinion of the Taylor Press.
It is election season, which is my least favorite time of the year. Mainly because there is a negativity that poisons the air, and people’s true colors start to show. There is mudslinging, insults and anger. This is especially true for local elections.
However, that’s not the reason for this column. I wrote this in hopes voters will inform themselves before they head to the polls.
By inform, I mean research or visit with the candidates. Prior to early voting for any municipal and school board elections in May, there will be a voters’ guide running in the Taylor Press featuring the candidates as they share their views with the community. These answers directly will come from the individual office seekers, and not a post on social media.
Unfortunately, many folks rely instead on the babble of the internet for answers during a campaign season. Solely using the internet to research a candidate or his or her platforms and views can be misleading. Viewers often get opinions about why the candidates are not trustworthy and why they are the wrong choice at the ballot box. In some cases, posters delight in exposing the candidates’ social media connections, leisure activities and previous occupations.
While those things can be a factor in making a decision at the ballot box, they should not be the only reason constituents cast a vote.
When choosing political representatives, the decision should be based on facts, which usually are not found in an online diatribe. Those dubious threads usually are filled with opinions and conjecture, raising more questions than answers.
While some candidates choose to engage on social media, I advise against it because the exchange quickly can turn into a “he-said she-said” situation when comments are misinterpreted. That has a negative effect on the community.
I’m not a politician, so I cannot speak about the “right way” to run a campaign, but as a voter, I know when I have lost trust in my elected officials.
Hopefully, voters will find time to actually learn about their candidates and only take what they hear or read online with a grain of salt. At the same time, I hope that candidates will make themselves available to constituents in person or at town-hall meetings rather than using social media or relying on “word-of-mouth” campaigns.
In addition to the voters’ guide, the Taylor Press will collaborate with the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce to host a candidate forum prior to the May balloting.
More information on the forum is coming soon.
I’m going to get off my soapbox now and stock up on Election Day snacks for the party primaries Tuesday. We will have a story in the paper and update the website with all the voting results.
“Remember, it is not about voting for the perfect candidate, there’s no such thing.”
— Michelle Obama
