Primary election sets the stage for November

For one reason or another, voters just don’t turn out for primary elections—but they should. The primary sets the stage for the general election that occurs in November.
    With this year being a mid-term election, it doesn’t get the spotlight that occurs during a presidential election year.  Nonetheless, the mid-term elections are especially important, both in Nebraska and Chase County.
    In Nebraska, the governor and other state offices are elected in mid-term years. The same is true in Chase County with all of the county officials (except for one commissioner) elected during the current election cycle.
    The primary election forwards partisan candidates to the general election, where candidates from their respective political parties face off for the position.
    In some instances, the race is decided in the primary. For instance, in the District 3 commissioner race in Chase County, all of the candidates are running on the Republican ticket. The same is true for the county treasurer seat.
    The winners advance to the general election, where they will run unopposed for the seat. So essentially, the races will be decided Tuesday.
    There are important primary races for the City of Imperial where the mayoral candidates will be pared from three to two. The five-candidate slate for city council will be pared down to four for the general election.
    So you see, the primary election proves to be quite important in the scope of things.
    That’s why you should make the time to either vote in advance at the courthouse or go to your respective polling place on election day.
Your vote does count!!!