By LEE HINNANT

Jessie Graham says he’s tired of throwing away thousands of freshly printed documents that voters pay for but fail to use.

Graham, chairman of the Columbus County Board of Elections, lamented recently about having to discard unused elections ballots. The law requires that there be enough ballots for all registered voters. It’s a shame to see most of them tossed out.

Graham and the board staff throw out much more than stacks of unused paper – they’re carrying apathy and failed responsibility to the trash too. So many good men and women fought long and hard for the right to vote in free and fair elections. Americans have an open, honest system and voting has never been easier.

Hundreds of untouched ballots painfully remind Graham that too many voters take their rights and citizenship for granted. In May, fewer than one-third of the registered voters decided on nominees for the offices of district attorney and county commissioners, among other races.

“We’re trying so hard to get the message out that it is important to participate,” Graham said. “I’m disappointed in the low voter turnout.”

Graham pointed out that it has never been easier to register and to vote. County libraries, the Department of Social Services and the Division of Motor Vehicles all register voters. Voters can take advantage of one-stop, no-excuse absentee voting at the Board of Elections beginning Oct. 19.

Two weeks before the Nov. 7 general election, satellite one-stop voting is available in Fair Bluff, Chadbourn, Tabor City and Riegelwood and those stations are open until 8 p.m.

“You won’t have to wait in line,”Graham said. “We really want to see our one-stop satellites utilized. It’s been made so easy that some people don’t see the value of it.”

Graham’s staff has been visiting senior centers and nursing homes to explain how voters can obtain absentee ballots and vote by mail. Curbside voting is also available on Election Day.

I hear plenty of complaints about some politicians but like Graham, I am disappointed when many primary races attract only 10 percent of the electorate.

I used to think that most voters failed to participate largely because they see no significant differences among candidates. Much of the electorate claims to have little interest in “politics,” or declines to become informed enough to make a choice.

I see things differently now. We are getting the government we demand, if not deserve.

Indifference, not voting and an almost proud cynicism have created politicians who’ve figured out how to survive in a system that barks at them but rarely bites from the outside. Once inside, office holders need only feed or pacify an active, self-interested minority of reliable voters.

Put simply, politicians expect constant complaints – both fair and unfair. They need only answer to a small number of constituents who always vote to return them to office.

If they are not doing a good job, it’s largely our fault for not demanding more. The way to start to change that is by voting, each and every time.

Anyone who needs help can call the Board of Elections at 640-6609.