Today is decision day when we will go to the polls to cast our votes for the people we believe will best represent our communities’ interests over the next four years.

By communities, I’m not only referring only to Natchez and Adams County.

I’m referring to our broader community as we will not only be selecting candidates to represent Adams County but also candidates to represent districts for some positions such as district attorney and transportation commissioners that encompass several counties.

We also will be selecting candidates in statewide races for governor, lt. governor, secretary of state, etc.

While today is a party primary, I believe we should look beyond just our chosen party’s interests in casting our votes.

We should strive to choose candidates who, if they win the general election, will work for the betterment of the broader community — not just the party, or people in our own neighborhoods, or people in our own socio-economic categories.

Just because we will cast our votes in one of the two party elections today, does not mean we should only vote for candidates we believe will toe the party line.

Rather than selecting someone who is just going to represent our own party’s interests, or our individual interests, if elected, we should strive to elect people who will work to do what is best for our broader communities.

Sure, in the district supervisor races, we will be electing supervisors to represent our specific districts, but they also need to be broadminded enough to work for the betterment of all of Adams County and the region, while representing our respective interests.

National politics seems to have become narrow in scope with candidates representing only the interests of their parties or certain constituencies with no compromise or concessions considered, often resulting in a stalemates and no real progress.

I would hate to see our local or state politics devolve into that model.

Governments are formed to represent the collective best interests of everyone, not just one party or a special interest group subset.

If government serves only the interests of a select few, then it loses its purpose and people lose faith in the system.

When we go to the polls today, lets consider the people who are asking us to entrust them with the stewardship of our government for the next four years.

Will they stick to their principals while also being flexible enough to meet the needs of the greater community?

Can they make compromises and work with other people for the best of everyone involved, or just a few favored people?

Consider where you stand on the issues and what you consider important in your leaders, and cast votes for people you believe will not only work toward those goals but also will have the strength of character and resolve to get the job done for the betterment of the entire community.

The great thing about our system of government is that we get to choose the people who will represent us in office. The worst thing about our system of government is if we choose the wrong people we have to live with them for the term of office.

Vote smart. Vote your conscience and may the best candidates win.

But most importantly, vote!

Scott Hawkins is the editor of The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at 601-445-3540 or scott.hawkins@natchezdemocrat.com.