Be informed, questions asked today could change community’s future

We have a lot of big decisions coming our way this year.

It’s the type of election year that kind of wears you out before you even get to the polls.

We’re sure everyone was hit with the same overwhelming number of ads for Mike Bloomberg before he dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nominee after seeing a sound defeat on Super Tuesday by Joe Biden.

Missouri will hold its own presidential preference primary on Tuesday. Ballots can be cast within a single party for the presidential candidate nominee of your choice.

It’s the first of many important choices we will make this year.

City and school board elections will take place April 7. There are contested races for Poplar Bluff and Qulin city positions and Twin Rivers and Neelyville school boards.

Those selected will spend the next three years deciding how your tax dollars are spent, what programs are important for your families and the direction of our communities.

In August, we hit the polls again. This time it’s to vote in a primary for state and county races. Butler County already has contested races for coroner and public administrator.

Often, the only candidates to sign up for Butler County offices are Republicans, so the August race can effectively decide these offices for the next term.

At the state level, we’ll decide in the November general election on our governor for the next four years. Incumbent Mike Parson already faces heavy competition.

It’s a lot to take in, we know.

Especially when your days are consumed by taking care of small children, elderly parents, or just trying to make ends meet from paycheck to paycheck.

It’s hard to stay informed about all of the candidates who want our votes.

But we hope everyone will all try, in their own ways, to do more than check the most recognizable name on these ballots. These elected officials will help determine the course of our lives for years to come.

We also hope that in your search for the right answers, you will look for trusted sources.

Please don’t just scroll through conversations and posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media to get this information.

The Daily American Republic will run interviews with school and municipal candidates, asking for their input on some of the important topics impacting our area. These will run in mid-March.

We will also make this election coverage free access and re-post the weekend prior to the election.

We’ll have more coverage for future races.

The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event April 2, which will allow residents to hear directly from those running for Poplar Bluff City Council.

Or pick a topic that’s important to you, and seek out your own answers from candidates in the races that impact you.

Ask questions now. Because your vote can directly impact the answers for many years to come.

— Daily American Republic