My son arrived home from college for the summer this past week, much to my delight.
On Saturday, I accompanied him to the voter registration office and he officially joined the ranks of those in South Carolina who are eligible to vote in the June 8 primary.
Over the next month, he and I will have many discussions about those who are running for local and statewide office.
We’ve already begun discussing how one makes those decisions.
I answer his questions without trying to push my opinions on him.
He’s asked how I make my decisions. I’ve told him there are a variety of ways but that truthfully, I never vote a straight party ticket. Even if those I want to vote for should all fall into one party, I feel obligated to go down the list, race by race so that I know I am truly voting for each person and what they stand for.
Our candidates work very hard, giving up nights at home with their families, to let us know what they stand for and how they will represent us, should we vote them into office.
One way to make those local decisions easier will be to attend the candidate forum the Journal Scene will co-sponsor with the Greater Summerville Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 25.

Candidates in contested primary races who have committed to attend so far are:
County Council District 2: Haskell Brown, David Chinnis and James Stein.
County Council District 3: George Bailey, Matthew Creel and Kenny Waggoner.
County Council District 7: Jay Byars and Jamie Feltner
State House 98: Larry Hargett, Chrissy Jackson, Chris Murphy, and Steve Yeomans
This list will continue to be updated in print and online until the event.

Pinewood Prep Headmaster Glyn Cowlishaw has kindly offered their comfortable Smith Hall for the venue. The event will begin at 6 p.m.
Please take the time to come out and hear what all the candidates have to say. Then vote your conscience on June 8 and again in November. Good representation locally and in this state is critical. Make sure you make your voice heard by voting.
There are other countries where voters literally have their lives at risk when they go to the polling places. They still go. That’s how important democracy and what it stands for are to them. They have seen what happens when their countries are run by dictators and non-democratic regimes.
We are blessed in this country to have our voice heard. Make sure yours is.