I read with dismay the various reasons provided for the low voter turnout on July 18th. Some voters complained of too many phone calls, over-stuffed mailboxes, ignorance of the issues, or – my personal favorite – the heat of the Georgia summer day. When I consider all the blood that has been shed to give us this sacred right, I shudder to think what those great patriots would think about such paltry excuses.

Of even greater concern to me is the example that we are setting for our children – the next generation of voters and leaders. In the last several years, our kids have seen the proud Afghani or Iraqi wave a purple ink-stained finger showing the world that they braved pain of death to cast their vote. Our children have seen the tremendous sacrifices that others will make to exercise their rights. But what do they see when they look at us? Do they see parents too inconvenienced to stop by the polling place as they leave Starbuck’s in the morning? Do they hear parents complain about the minimal effort required to read candidates’ websites to learn their positions on issues? Are parents voicing anger over recorded phone calls from candidates just trying to find a way to get voters to hear their message?

I wonder what the Afghani and Iraqi voters think of such indifference. Worse still, I wonder what the bleeding soldier on a battlefield in the Revolutionary War would think if he could see us today. Parents, it’s not too late. Take half an hour of your time to visit the candidates’ websites to learn about them and their positions. Or call a friend to find out what they know. Show your children that your vote is sacred and powerful. Even if you did not vote on July 18th, you can still vote on August 8th. Make a difference for your kids. Model for them a behavior that would make our forefathers proud.

Brant Meadows, Republican Member - Forsyth County Board of Elections.