Voters in both Texarkanas, the surrounding area and across the nation will go to the polls today to select Republican and Democratic party nominees for a variety of federal, state and county races.
Those nominated will go on to compete in the general election in November.
The 2022 midterm elections are important as always/ Every member of the U.S. House of Representatives is up for grabs, as are one-third of the seats in the U.S. Senate.
State legislators, governors, state officers, county and city officials will all be elected in November.
It is also seen as an indication of public trust and confidence in President Joe Biden and his leadership.
There are some hotly-contested races, especially in Arkansas where incumbent Gov. Asa Hutchinson and several other statewide officials are not seeking re-election because of term limits.
We won't tell you how to vote. Frankly, we don't think you should rely on anyone else to make your choices for you. We hope you've studied the candidates and proposals and come to your own conclusions.
We will, though, encourage you to vote.
Our democracy works best when as many Americans as possible participate. But there are still those who, by choice or circumstances, will not show up at the polls today. Maybe they don't think the runoff primaries are worth the bother.
But they are an integral part of the democratic process. We urge everyone who has not yet voted to do so. But that is a matter for each person's own conscience and sense of duty.
We wish the best to all those nominated today. We hope the eventual winners in November -- whether on a national, state or local level -- will always put the best interests of our nation first and govern openly and honestly. It's a sacred trust that should not be abused.