Throughout the run-up to the election next month, there has been a lot said and written about voting rights — who can legally vote, mail-in voting, early voting and so on. All valid issues.However, there is one other topic that isn’t mentioned, and is, in my opinion, equally or more important. That is voter responsibility. As citizens we have the right to vote in elections and with that right comes a responsibility — a responsibility to the country, to our communities, our neighbors, our family, but most importantly to ourselves.Our system of government is very unique and works best when there is citizen participation, which means more than just checking boxes on a ballet. Because our government is a constitutional republic set up to give us control over our federal government, it requires that we vote with some forethought and an understanding of what and whom we’re voting for.In my view, this means that voters should have a basic understanding of our system.First and foremost is its separation of power, with three distinct and independent branches of the government incorporating the authority the Constitution gives each of them. The Constitution is unique in that it is set up to limit the federal government’s powers to those issues that are clearly spelled out. Therefore, anything not specifically conscripted to the three branches (legislative, executive and judicial) is the responsibility of the states.This is called “dual sovereignty” and by delegating most of the governing authority to the states, we (as citizens of a state) are thereby given more control and influence as to how we are governed. Secondly, voters are obligated to have an understanding of the duties of the position and the qualifications necessary to make an individual successful in that position. These qualifications include character, decision-making, previous experience, and so on. These qualities are not bound by political affiliation. Race, gender, religion and/or ethnicity are not “qualifications” for the office of, specifically in this case, the president.In the ’80s, there was a discount clothing retailer whose business model was to allow customers to make informed decisions about purchases by disclosing the current price when first offered, as well the set intervals and percentage the item would continue to be discounted until the final sale price was reached.The company’s motto was “an educated consumer is our best customer.”Similarly, an educated voter is our country’s best citizen.In 1777’s “The American Crisis,” Thomas Paine said, “These are the times thattry men’s souls.” Some 250 years later, we find these words not only relevantand applicable, but eerily prescient.Be a “best citizen.”John HoganPark CityThe post Responsible voting appeared first on Park Record.