Election season is upon us and candidates will be vying for your attention and your vote.  So will those who are not running for office but wanting to point you in the direction of their preferred candidate.

            Do your own research on the candidates and make your own decision.  Who and what the candidate supports is more important than who supports them.  Don't be afraid to ask the candidate(s) questions.

            There are many opportunities to present your questions.  As local fall events heat up many local candidates are making themselves available at campaign tables and public gatherings.  If you prefer, ask them via email or social media.  Sometimes area organizations offer Meet the Candidates events.

            To the candidates, make yourself available to the people and answer their questions. Don't just put a campaign pamphlet in their hand and hope for the best.  Be available for them.

            There are many groups that are reported to support certain candidates.  Is it true?  Check it out for yourself.  The candidate can't always know what groups are supporting them.  So, ask them.

            It looks like some groups automatically throw their support behind a "D" or an "R" without even checking them out.  That shouldn't be the way it works.

            Nowadays social media is becoming less social.  Various groups are free to spread their message, sometimes with the subject of that message not even knowing about it.  I believe that you would like to know if someone may be gossiping about you.  Or if a group that you don't support, or even know about, was throwing their backing behind your candidacy.

            If you're a voter then it's your job to vote.  But, before you cast your ballot know who you're voting for and most importantly, why.  Democrat, Republican, Independent, or other - take the time and accept the responsibility to make up your own mind and cast your own vote.  Don't let somebody else make up your mind for you.

            Don't base your vote solely on the groups that support the candidate but on the groups the candidate supports.