Editorial: Focus on local, too

The months leading up to any election can feel like a semester at school - there's a lot to learn by the time the big exam rolls around.

With most voters studying tight Democratic presidential primaries, it's easy to see how some local races may slip through the cracks.

Though North Carolina's primary probably won't hold much water nationally after the flood of early primaries passes, May 6 could decide who is on the ballot in local races. Already, two Republicans have filed for the district attorney position that will serve Iredell and Alexander counties.

Those running for county commission or a seat on the school board don't have the large-scale campaigning national races draw, but these races deserve just as much attention. The people who win these races will vote on zoning changes in your neighborhood, set your tax rate and determine how much teachers and sheriff's deputies earn.

Up for grabs this November are three Iredell County Board of Commissioners seats and three Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education positions.

District court judges are up for election, and Judge Kim Taylor's retirement has left an open bench in Superior Court.

Iredell residents have a responsibility as stewards of democracy to familiarize themselves with local races. Voting along party lines is easy; but if national races have taught us anything, it's that party lines can get blurry. Learning about candidates takes a bit more elbow grease but makes for more informed choices.

Just as important as an educated decision is actually having to make a decision. We'd hate to see an unopposed local race - especially since this page of the R&L has been filled with voters' letters expressing malcontent for some of the commissioners' decisions and criticism of I-SS policy.

If you are unhappy with the way your representatives are representing you right here in Iredell, it's your right to change it, either by voting or running.

Several candidates already have filed for local public office, and several more have announced their intentions to do so by the time filing ends Feb. 29.

We hope you've been doing your homework as a citizen of this county.