Dear Editor,
There’s a problem we don’t talk about enough, and it’s this: too many people walk into the voting booth and just start bubbling in names they recognize — like it’s some kind of civic pop quiz where “most familiar” wins the prize.
Here’s the thing: Name recognition does not equal qualification. Just because you’ve seen someone’s face on 24 mailers, 14 yard signs, and three cringe-worthy TV commercials does not mean they are the right choice for you, your wallet, or your future.
In fact, it’s often a red flag.
Mailers are expensive. TV time is even pricier. That flood of campaign material carpeting your mailbox didn’t pay for itself. Those candidates are almost always bankrolled by special interests, big developers, or lobbyists who have very specific — and often very expensive — favors they expect once the election confetti settles. All that money isn’t spent out of some deep love for democracy. It’s an investment, and spoiler alert: you’re not the one they’re investing in.
If you see a name popping up everywhere, ask yourself: Who’s really paying for all this exposure? Because it probably isn’t a neighborhood bake sale.
And while we’re at it, let’s talk about another problem: blind voting based on party affiliation. Marion County is predominantly red, and you’ll probably hear people saying you should just check off every Republican box and call it a day. But if Elizabeth Cheney taught us anything, it’s that there are plenty of counterfeit conservatives out there — politicians who campaign one way and govern another. Being on “your team” doesn’t automatically mean they share your values or your interests. Party label alone is no guarantee of principle, loyalty, or common sense.
Somewhere along the way, we picked up this strange idea that leaving parts of the ballot blank is some sort of civic sin. It’s not. In fact, it’s far better to skip a race you know nothing about than to guess. Guessing at the ballot box isn’t patriotic — it’s roulette with your community’s future.
Sincerely,
Tom Herman
