Our View: Don’t forget to vote in GOP primary Saturday

On Saturday, Jan. 21, registered voters across the state will be able to exercise one of the most precious privileges democracy grants us – the opportunity to determine who will represent them in their government.
And although Indian Land voters have no local contests to decide, the first-the-South Republican primary will determine who will be on the Republican presidential ticket this fall.
Voters will choose between these GOP presidential hopefuls:
• Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
• Texas Congressman Ron Paul
• Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
• Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum
Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson and Rick Perry’s names will still be on the ballot, too, although they have dropped out of the GOP race.
In November, the Republican primary winner will try to unseat Democratic President Barack Obama.
Think long and hard this week about who you want to represent you as president. If you don’t know much about them, watch the remaining debates, visit  the candidates’ websites and learn how they feel about issues important to you. See where they stand. Do you trust their judgment?
And don’t forget to actually go to the polls and vote. The polls open at 7 a.m. Saturday and close at 7 p.m.
Indian Land voters will vote at one of five locations:
• Belair – Indian Land High School, 8063 River Road
• Belair II – Indian Land Recreation Center, 8286 Charlotte Highway (U.S. 521)
• Pleasant Valley – Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 238 Fort Mill Highway (S.C. 160)
• Pleasant Valley II – Higher Ground Church, 8365 Possum Hollow Road
• Van Wyck – Van Wyck Community Center, 5036 Old Hickory Road
If you’re not sure where to vote, call the Lancaster County Voter Registration Office at (803) 285-2969.
You can also vote absentee in person at the Lancaster County Voter Registration Office, Room 158 in the Lancaster County Administration Building, 101 N. Main St. Lancaster. The office is open from 8:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The deadline for absentee voting is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20.
Be sure to bring your voter registration card and a photo ID, such as a South Carolina driver’s license or ID card, issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Your vote is no small thing. It’s your voice in our political system and each vote really does count. So study your choices and make plans to vote Saturday.
See you at the polls.