Low voter turnout causes many problems; worst is perpetuating the myth that your vote doesn’t count.

One of Monterey County’s most contentious debates is over water. There are endless debates about public ownership versus the status quo; every election cycle elicits a torrent of mailers arguing the pros and cons, often with misleading arguments. Can you separate fact from fiction? Do you know that water district directors are on the ballot? Do you have any idea what these officials do and how their decisions affect our lives? Are you prepared for the consequences of the decisions you will make on water and other critical issues?

In the primary election in June, with a raft of candidates and a number of initiatives on the ballot, only 37 percent of eligible Monterey County voters cast a vote. But then, only 28 percent of all California eligible voters did the same – including only 16 percent of eligible voters in the 18-24 age group, a demographic that is often disproportionately affected by decisions made at the polls.

No one can be proud of these numbers. They reveal an alarming degree of apathy, and apathy – not animus – is the reason democracies fail. The current pain of our national cultural divide is felt in many ways, but the worst is what it does to our psyche: reinforce the nagging narrative that voting doesn’t matter.

Taking a global look at the problem, the U.S. lags behind most developed countries in voter turnout, 26th on a list of 35, according to the Pew Research Center. Several of the countries high on the list have compulsory voting laws, so they can’t be compared with those that don’t. However it’s calculated, voter participation in our country, our state – and our county – is low. We lack what many other countries seem to have: involved citizens.

In November, there are many offices up for election that matter a lot to the quality of our lives: school boards, mayors and city councils. These are the people who implement the values of a community as expressed by their electoral choices. How do school board candidates stand on teaching climate change, sex education, gender equality? How do city council and mayoral candidates stand on homeless issues, affordable housing, access to health care? Land use? Short-term rentals? Funding of public assistance programs?

Many of the offices are non-partisan, so alignment with a political party will not be a criterion by which we can judge candidates. Will our local civic organizations hold voter forums? Will we attend them? Will our local news organizations cover the candidates and the issues in a way that helps us to make decisions? Will we be participants rather than observers in the process?

As November approaches, voter education will be critical, and even more critical will be the commitment of every single person who can vote to show up. If we don’t do a lot better to demonstrate our civic engagement, we will deserve everything that follows.

Don’t fall for the myth that your vote doesn’t count. Be active. Inform yourself, then get out and be heard.

SUSAN MEISTER is a journalist and a co-founder of Monterey County United, a coalition of organizations working to elect candidates who embrace enduring democratic ideals.