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Today being primary election day in Pennsylvania, we took a look at the number of registered voters in Lycoming County not only for this year, but also four years ago.
Overall, the county has 71,365 registered voters for today's primary -- 20,058 Democrats, 41,776 Republicans, 377 Libertarians, 61 Greens and 9,093 "other" registrations, according to Forrest K. Lehman, director of Voter Services.
Interestingly, that's 21.7 percent more than the 58,635 voters who were registered for the 2017 municipal primary election -- a statement in itself.
While interest in voting was at a high a year ago, what will it be like today, we wonder?
We have become accustomed to voter apathy, particularly during a local election year, as is the case in 2021.
Four years ago, only 22 percent of the electorate turned out at the polls.
We would like to think that the voting public has been awakened, that voters today will show much more determination to make their voices heard than has been the norm when it comes to local elections.
That's because this is where it starts -- in our local communities.
The people who hold power in our local municipalities, and those who earn county office, will have a much more noticeable effect on our day-to-day lives than those who are elected to federal or even state office, as important as those offices are, too.
Today is when we nominate people to run our school boards, manage our townships and serve on city and borough councils.
Today's ballot includes district judge posts and county sheriff considerations.
All of these are important enough that folks who truly care about their communities should make it a priority to get to the polls.
Additionally, today's primary ballot includes four questions, three of which may impact our state constitution.
All registered voters get to cast ballots on those questions, regardless of political affiliation.
We encourage all voters to go to the polls today and make your choices. Other than the potential for a stray shower, it's supposed to be a beautiful day to venture out.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And to all the poll workers who will toil all day so we may exercise our right to vote and to those who will ultimately tally the votes once the polls are closed, we say thank you for doing those thankless jobs that make our democracy work.
So voters, it's up to you.
Nominate the people you want to serve in local offices.
Respond to the ballot questions.
Make your voice be heard.
Remember, it begins here, in your backyard.