As an elected official, I am tuned into voting habits and practices. Call me a political junkie, but I am fascinated by the whole electoral process. While all of my interest in the political world is a hobby of sorts, I am disturbed by the fact that each election brings a lower percentage of registered voters to the polls.

I signed on as a John McCain supporter in 2008 because I felt he had earned a spot on the national ticket through his military and political service to his country. McCain had his share of deficiencies, but they were not serious enough that I looked to another candidate or worse, chose not to vote in the general election.

Since that election, I have talked to people who were opposed to the Obama-Biden ticket but who said they didn’t vote because they thought McCain was not a good nominee. I am astounded that anyone who is driven by free-market, less-government principles could sit out an election as pivotal as the 2008 contest. Sometimes you have to hold your nose when you cast your vote.

I am reminded of an elected official from Montgomery who served for almost 20 years and lost his last race in a very close primary election.

His phone polls showed him with an almost double-digit lead ten days out from the election. Unfortunately for him, he chose to sit on a lead and a war chest of campaign money.

He didn’t remind his voters to turn out on Election Day, and he lost in a squeaker. On top of that, he heard from numerous friends after the election that they didn’t vote because they thought he had it in the bag. Voter complacency is one of the most serious offenses in the political arena. Whether or not you believe your candidate is the runaway favorite, don’t let him or her down by failing to vote.

The upcoming Primaries in the Democratic and Republican Party will be held June 1.

This election is crucial, with important races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney and a host of other contests.

Regardless of which primary you vote in, please find time to go to the polls to exercise not just a right but a privilege we often take for granted.