We often use the In Box to trumpet the uncontested superiority of newspapers when it comes to doing the tough, detail-oriented work of supporting democracy.<\/p>\n
That’s been on display the last month in spades, as regional papers have laid out exhaustive information about the candidates and the issues.\u00a0\u00a0 It’s a level of public service that no one else in the media — new or old — is approaching.<\/p>\n
In the Glens Falls Post Star<\/a>, editor Ken Tingley pivots from that hard work to scold potential voters who don’t turn out to cast their ballots, especially in sparsely attended local elections like the one looming on Tuesday.<\/p>\n I’m annually disgusted when I see 50 percent or less of the eligible voters turning out to vote.\u00a0 They have a litany of excuses:<\/p>\n * “I don’t know who the candidates are and what they stand for.”\u00a0 * “My vote won’t make a difference.”\u00a0 * “I don’t know who to believe.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Adirondack Daily Enterprise<\/a> echoes that theme, urging voters to get to the polls:<\/p>\n So what if there aren’t any national or state races this year? You still have to vote, if you’re eligible. It’s your duty – a critically important one. We are free because we can assert our choice over our leaders, locally and beyond. To not vote is to treat one’s freedom as flimsy and worthless, and that’s a shame.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n