The following Letters to the Editor appeared in the September 30, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent. Submit your opinions to the email below.

Your Vote

Dear Editor,

When I grew up, the USSR was our nation’s enemy. In 1950s America, the ultimate threat to individual liberty, democracy, and freedom of choice was the Soviet Union’s one-party communist system. We understood that a one-party system was anti-democratic. Today, however, some people in America believe there is only one correct way to vote.

Across the globe, we’ve seen how single-party rule often becomes a breeding ground for corruption, insider deals, and the erosion of trust in government. While partisan politics can create division and contention, having multiple parties also allows for a diversity of ideas and potential cross-party solutions.

Which raises the question, if a candidate is running unopposed, why vote for them? Isn’t this voting as if there is a one-party system? By casting your vote when you have no options, you give credence to a potentially dangerous one-party system.

Think about what your vote means. Do you approve of this person’s and/or party’s platform and promises? Do you actually know, or are you merely checking a habitual box? Your vote, or lack thereof, provides feedback that can influence decisions and policies in the future.

Your ballot remains valid even if you do not vote for every office, or for the potential maximum of open seats.  Consider how you cast your ballot, and vote only for those candidates you truly support. Being an informed voter promotes individual liberty, democracy, and freedom of choice. It is our privilege—and responsibility—in this country we love.

Dru Hanich