To vote or not to vote, that is the question.

With Election Day just around the corner, you'd think it'd be hard to escape the media frenzy; campaign ads on the television, signs on front lawns and a wide array of pamphlets spilling out of every mailbox.

But despite each candidate's best efforts to court the general public, you might be surprised by the number of people who simply don't vote.

In fact, in the last presidential election fewer than 37,000 people voted in Cayuga County, out of roughly 65,000 eligible voters. If these numbers translate nationwide, that means a whole heck of a lot of people are, for whatever reason, not exercising their right to vote.

This surprises me, particularly because the global success of the United States is due largely in part to our success as a democracy. Our constitution even opens with, “We the People of the United States.” A sentiment Abraham Lincoln later reiterated in the Gettysburg Address, “ ... a government of the People, by the People and for the People.”

That's you, people!

When you don't vote you turn your back on the most powerful right that you have as a U.S. citizen, a right that enables us to live as a free society, a privilege that millions of people in war torn countries fight for every moment of every day.

It's easy to believe that an individual vote doesn't matter, particularly when bombarded with maps of blue and red states. But if only 40 percent of Americans are participating in the voting process, who knows how the map would look if non-voters threw their two cents into the mix.

Remember, elected officials are employees. They work for the people, for you and me, making decisions that directly affect our lives. You don't have to know all the ins and outs of Washington to know how you feel about your hard-earned money, your values, your family or community.

And if you don't believe there is a candidate that represents you, you can seek one out or, if you're ambitious, get involved.

To vote or not to vote, it shouldn't be a question.

For more information on voting or on how to get involved, visit cayugacounty.us/election or call 253-1285.

Estabrook's column appears

Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com