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Seldom do we look at a ballot and see just one race to vote on.
That's the situation residents of our region will face when they go to the polls in Tuesday's special election. The race to fill the unexpired term in Ohio's 6th Congressional District will be the only thing on the ballot.
Those who cast a vote will be asked to choose between Republican Michael Rulli and Democrat Michael Kripchak, with the winner serving through the end of year.
And, while it's easy to say the election doesn't mean that much, consider that our area has been without representation in the U.S. House of Representatives since January, when longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson left Congress to become the president of Youngstown State University.
That's it -- that's the choice voters will find on the ballot. And, no matter how Tuesday's election turns out, voters will see Rulli and Kripchak on the Nov. 5 ballot, when they face off again for the full two-year term that will begin in January.
If you are registered and have not taken advantage of any of the methods Ohio offers for early voting, get out and vote. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. That simple effort of casting a ballot will show you support our nation's process of selecting representation through a free and open process.
Looking ahead, if you are planning to vote in the Nov. 5 general election and are not registered, you have until Oct. 7 to complete the process. There will be more to vote on in the fall -- in addition to the next race between Rulli and Kripchak, Jefferson County voters will see two county commissioner seats on the ballot; all Ohioans will be able to choose between longtime incumbent Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Bernie Moreno in a race that could help decide control of the Senate; and, oh yes, voters across the country will be choosing the next president.
Before we get there, though, area voters will have to decide between Rulli and Kripchak on Tuesday.
Make sure you have your say - vote, and let your voice is heard.