“Decisions are made by those who show up,” said the fictional President Josiah Bartlet on the TV show “West Wing.”

This is certainly true when it comes to elections, because those who show up at the polls are the ones who make the decisions for everyone else. Is that the way you want it to be?

In local elections — especially — the vote can be very close, and the person who wins may do so with only a few votes.  Your vote could actually make a big difference! You get your friends and family to vote, too, and you could really make a difference (get them to the polls, but don’t tell them how to vote!).

It’s only a primary election, you say. True, but it does have a lot of influence on the direction southwest Michigan and its many communities take, and isn’t what happens here at home important to you? More important, possibly, than what happens in Washington?

Also, remember that in many communities where only one party is represented, the winners of the primary on Aug. 7 will win the general election in November.  Don’t “skip” the primary!  Learn about the candidates and proposals by going to resources like VOTE411.org before you vote on Aug. 7.

You are fortunate to have many fine men and women running for national, state and local office. Yes, U.S. Senate, Congress and the Michigan House District seats are highly visible, but there are also many people running for jobs that are less than glamorous. If you attended any of the League of Women Voters of Berrien and Cass Counties candidate forums, you know why they are running and that there are differences among them. Decide on your candidates and vote and show them you care and that they have the support of your county, city and township.

John Ripley

League of Women Voters of Berrien and Cass Counties