LETTER: A Particularly Important Election

Some say voting is a right and/or a privilege; I say it is also a responsibility. A responsibility to the democratic process and to our country.

Some say, “Why vote, my vote won’t count”. I say your vote can count, and here’s why:

In a relatively small electorate such as ours, a few votes can determine the outcome of local issues. Knowing this, special interests can organize letter-writing, telephone, advertising and canvassing campaigns that can sway the election results in their favor. Of course this is perfectly legal, and you can see examples of this tactic in published letters and paid advertisements. And possibly someone has phoned you or knocked on your door.

The way to combat this is: VOTE!

Some say that this mid-term election is not that important. I say every election is important, and this election is particularly important. And here are just some reasons why:

Our Governorship is up for grabs. Try to determine which of the candidates is the least objectionable.

Our U.S. Senator and our U.S. Congressional Representative are seeking re-election, as is our State Representative. Examine their voting records and where they stand on issues important to you and decide if you want to keep them in office.

We are being asked to fund a new PreK-8 school. Consider the pros and cons of such an expense and decide if a new school is in the best interests of our children’s educational achievement scores and our community. Try to sift through the hype that abounds on both sides of the issue.

There are a number of important proposed Colorado constitutional and statutory amendments on the ballot. Take the time to review the arguments for and against these amendments in the 2026 State Ballot Information Booklet. Pay particular attention to the proposed change in the Colorado Income Tax from a fixed rate to a variable rate. Your time will be well spent.

Issue 7B asks if Pagosa Springs Medical Center should continue, without raising taxes, to “collect, retain, and spend all revenues…. without regard to any revenue or spending limitation of the Colorado Constitution”.

So yes, this is a particularly important election. Please, please take seriously your responsibility to our country, and VOTE!

You will note that I have not suggested how anyone should vote. I wouldn’t insult anyone’s intelligence by doing so. But I do suggest that everyone vote the issues and not for or against a particular party. Partisan bickering is now arguably the worst our country has seen.

Sincerely yours, and hoping for a record voter turnout,

Vic Lucariello, P.E.
Archuleta County