Now’s your chance North Kitsap. Your opportunity to put up or shut up as far as your state and local governments are concerned.

Sure, many of you are probably saying, “Well it’s just a primary election.” For some candidates it’ll be the only one they have this season.

For others it will open the door to the November general elections — allowing them to challenge candidates of different political parties and face off with incumbents.

It’s Democracy at its finest.

The process of elimination.

But before we all go to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 17, we encourage you to do a little last-minute homework prior to casting that precious ballot. People over 18 have two duties when it comes to elections really:

1) Get educated about issues and candidates.

2) Vote

As Americans everywhere ride high on the emotional wave created by the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, we feel it is important to make a connection between this great country and our democratic process.

Would the United States be such a nation without our ability to vote? Certainly not.

Taking your rights for granted is a slap in the face of every man, woman and child that died a year ago this week. It’s an insult to everyone who ever fought or died to ensure this country stayed free.

The numbers who did so are astounding. We hope those at the polls are as well.

There is no reason.

No real excuse not to vote.

It is your duty as a free citizen living in the greatest nation in the world to do so.

Many of us have found the ease in absentee ballots — don’t forget to mail these in as well.

The Sept. 17 primary is just three days away.

And for those of you who don’t think it means much, think again.

Revel in the chance to make a difference.

To instigate change.

To support the best man or woman for the job, measures to improve your community and issues in which you find merit.

Think of it as an opportunity for a better tomorrow — one which you can make a definite impact on. There aren’t many days like Sept. 17 each year and we encourage each and every voter to participate in the election.

Tallies should count 100 percent of the voting populace in North Kitsap taking part in next Tuesday’s election.

Who knows? the trend might just catch on elsewhere.

You are living in the land of the free.

And what is the point of being free if we don’t exercise our rights to remain so?