Today is Election Day, the day many people have been waiting for, especially the candidates whose names are on the ballots for statewide, regional and local county positions in today’s general election.

Up for grabs are the positions of governor, lt. governor, secretary of state and several other statewide positions.

On the regional level positions on ballots include state senators and representatives, and locally Adams County offices including circuit clerk, sheriff, supervisors, justice court judges and more are on the ballots.

With the exception of a few races that were decided in the primaries in August, all of the Adams County positions are contested.

Adams County Election Commissioner Larry Gardner said this year’s election has more independent candidates than he has ever seen, and he is hopeful the large number of contested races will get people to the polls.

Gardner said the last time Adams County offices were on the ballots in 2015 only 40% of Adams County’s registered voters turned out for the general election.

In that general election, however, most of the races were decided in the primaries, Gardner said, adding he is hopeful this year’s contested races will drive people to the polls.

Still, Gardner said, a 50% turnout would be about the most he could hope for.

Apathy, Gardner said, is the culprit.

It is apparently virtually impossible to get more than 50% of registered voters to the polls in any election.

That’s a sad commentary to ponder on this Election Day.

Our form of government depends on an informed electorate going to the polls to elect the best candidates to run our various branches of government.

“Don’t complain if you don’t get out and vote,” Gardner said.

True. Gardner speculates that people are under the impression that their vote just doesn’t matter.

Gardner reminds us, however, that a few years ago a local race here for a justice court judge position was decided by only one vote.

In Adams County and Mississippi, we have a lot of issues that people love to complain about especially in the way the elected officials do their jobs.

I wonder how many of those vocal critics actually get out to the polls and vote.

Once you cast your vote, then you can complain and if the person you voted for turns out to be a crook or a deadbeat who doesn’t do the job in the manner in which you had hoped when you cast your vote for them, vote them out the next time.

Let them know of your disappointments.

Governmental service is a service above self and should not be entered into lightly.

Once elected to office, candidates should put the greater needs of the community above any self-interest and do what is best for the entire community and not just a list of friends and cronies.

Let’s hope the best candidates win in today’s elections, but that can only happen if you get out and vote for the best candidates.

Do your duty, get off your duffs and get out and vote.

Otherwise, don’t complain.

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