Editorial: Voice your vote

April 11 is just around the corner — do you have your voter registration up to date?

You should, because for the first time in decades — perhaps ever — those running neck and neck to be crowned the Democratic presidential nominee will have to listen to North Carolina voters.

As evidenced by countless primaries past, a late date usually renders a state useless, as far as presidential nominee races go, because the candidates are all but chosen by early April.

Not this year. Only 171 delegates separate hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, making this the closest Democratic primary in recent memory.North Carolina’s May 6 primary is definitely a case of better-late-than-never, as 134 delegates are up for grabs between Republicans and Democrats. As John McCain has all but accepted the Republican nomination, local Democrats and unaffiliated voters especially have a chance to be a part of history.

The Iredell County Board of Elections is doing its part to make sure citizens here can exercise their responsibility to vote.

Becky Galliher, director of the Board of Elections, says she expects a “huge turnout” for the primary and is already in the process of preparing thousands of absentee ballots.

And if you’re around but can’t make it to the polls May 6, there will be one-stop voting April 17-May 3 at the Board of Elections; April 22-May 3 at the Union Grove Fire Department; or April 21-May 3 at the Mooresville Town Library or Lake Norman Fire Department.

Before you fill out a ballot, you have to have all your information — name, address changes or switches in party affiliation — completed by April 11.

Your chance to make a difference is just around the corner.