As a country and a society, one of our greatest accomplishments has been the establishment of our voting system, and most citizens take pride in the ubiquitous freedom to take part in both local and national elections. As apparent from the turmoil occurring in other parts of the world, now more than ever, we should take advantage of our right to take part in elections. This extends further than just presidential elections every four years; your right to vote is universal, and it concerns local, state, and presidential issues.

According to fairvote.org, 60% of the population votes in presidential elections, while only 40% of eligible voters bother to voice their opinion in state elections. When less than half of a voting population decides to use their freedom to vote, a change needs to take place. We are lucky enough to live in a society that allows all to vote, and we should be using this independence to the greatest extent.

Possibly even more than federal issues, state governments deal with issues that affect our day-to-day lives. The condition of the roads that we drive on, issues of conservation and the environment, disposal, sewage and garbage services, and even public transportation are all issues contained in the ever-growing bubble of responsibility of the state government. While state elections may not get the same recognition wrapped around them that federal elections do, they hold equal importance in terms of affecting our lives.

Furthermore, as outgoing governor Rick Snyder leaves the prominent issue of the Flint water crisis for the next governor to remedy, the importance of picking the next governor is intensified. For the 100,000 inhabitants of Flint, the right governor could be the determining factor in tipping the issue into remission or even further towards disaster. We owe it to them to use our right to vote to help find a governor that will bode best for our state.

Aside from simply voicing your opinion to form a society you want to live in, voting in state elections brings about a certain feeling of pride among Michiganders. Be proud to live in a state with schools as great as the one we are lucky enough to attend. Take pride in the dozens of state parks and hundreds of miles of coastline bordering the picturesque Great Lakes. Be content in the fact that it takes only a few minutes for Michigan emergency services to arrive to save those in dire need. All of these luxuries that we enjoy are determined and formed by our state government.

With the upcoming election for Michigan governor in November, now more than ever, it is time to voice our opinions. State governments hold important powers that affect us all, and with several qualified candidates to choose from, why wouldn’t voters use their comprehensive right to vote?