While Tuesday’s general election ballot is light on politicalfire to draw voters attention, some very important contested races- which voters should take a deep interest in – are on theballot.

There are two contested judicial races and one school board seatin this area which are extremely important to the daily lives oflocal citizens. While nonpartisan, the election of judges should bea top priority of citizens, for it is our judges who have the finalsay in so many things in everyday life. The same goes for schoolboard seats.

Area mailboxes in recent days have been besieged with campaignmaterials from state Rep. Virginia Carlton, of Columbia, and EdPatten, 15th District Chancery Court judge for Lincoln and Copiahcounties. Carlton and Patten, along with 13th District ChanceryCourt Judge Larry Buffington, of Collins; Richard Grindstaff, ofByram; and Scott Phillips, of Columbia, are vying for a seat on thestate Court of Appeals.

Other contested races, including those for U.S. Senate, ThirdDistrict U.S. Representative, 14th District Circuit Court Judge anda post on the Lincoln County School Board have drawn considerablyless interest. There are three uncontested races on the LincolnCounty ballot.

In addition to federal and the court of appeals races, areacounties also have some contested races.

Lawrence County voters will be voting in races for chancerycourt judge and circuit court judge and races for two posts on theLawrence County School Board. One chancery judge post and onecircuit judge post are uncontested.

In Franklin County, up for grabs are a chancery court judgepost, two election commission positions, and two school boardspots. A circuit court judge race is uncontested.

Unlike the rest of the area, Copiah County voters will bechoosing between incumbent Democrat Second District U.S. Rep.Bennie Thompson and his Republican challenger Yvonne Brown. Votersthere will also be choosing a circuit judge.

Voting is a cherished right in the United States and should beexercised at every opportunity. Tuesday is another opportunity todo so.