Make sure to not just vote, but be an educated voter

Last week we wrapped up a three part series from Park County Assessor Terry Call on property taxes, including information on Proposition 1 on the November ballot, as well as publishing the last of six profiles for those running for four available seats on the Park County School District 1 Board. 

There will still be related stories, letters and opinion pieces ahead of the election, but we hope we have given voters a good start on making informed decisions about who to vote for, and what ballot measures to vote for or against, in this important November election. 

I always enjoy going into the voter booth with this extra knowledge, although I admit during the primary I didn’t have complete knowledge of everyone when making precinct committee decisions. 

There are some important decisions for voters to make, so more than anything I hope everyone who can vote, does so. But it’s also important to be an informed voter. The crux of our constitutional republic is not just the importance of citizens voting, but to be informed about the issues and then regularly cast ballots. 

That then, is one of the most important roles of this newspaper, to provide that necessary information. 

Of course, this is only one source of that information. Voters should read all they can to be informed, whether directly from candidates themselves or from other reliable sources. 

Any good candidate will happily talk with you about their stances, and groups strongly opposed or in favor of a ballot measure ought to be open to explain their positions as well.

The ballot measures in particular will, I'm sure, drive a lot of people to the polls, and could have a big impact. Locally that will be the 50% property tax exemption and the 1 cent specific purpose sales tax. 

In my line of work, I work to hear all sides, and there are good arguments in favor and against the two big ballot measures. 

The property tax exemption is a tough one, as I personally would love to cut my property taxes (not in half, as my 4 acres don’t count toward the exemption, just my house). But, there will be negative effects to many county entities, from fire districts to school districts and city and county governments which are funded, at least in part, by property taxes. 

The key to deciding how to vote on that is determining whether you think the cuts will do more harm than good, or whether the entities can deal with less, and whether that is worth more property tax relief. 

I can honestly say I haven’t fully made up my mind on how I’ll vote on that one, although one should understand that to vote for Prop 1 means the distinct possibility of receiving fewer services in exchange for a property tax savings.

I’m much more certain on the specific purpose 1 cent sales tax. Yes, there are arguments against it, and I think there are valid questions as to whether nearly $10 million in work is the best use of money to spend for Cody to repair and update the Cody Auditorium. But there is no question that Powell seniors need a new, much more usable building, and there’s no question in my mind that an additional 1 cent sales tax for roughly the next two years is worth seeing it built. 

Of course, please read more than just this, as it’s just my, might I say, 2 cents worth. 

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