Fresh Ideas: Every Nevada voter has superpowers

If you are a new voter, a young voter, a maybe voter, a lapsed voter, or a longtime voter, this year you have power.

Yes, Nevada is a swing state where our six scant electoral votes could make the difference in the race for president, and the U.S. Senate race is a toss-up. Your vote matters in this election more than votes cast in non-swing states. Think of it as voter superpower.

The economic downturn has been especially hard on Nevadans, and the recovery is slow. It is easy to be turned off by politics and the barrage of candidates bombarding us with balderdash. Even if politics never makes your top-10 list, now is the time to tune in and vote.

Vote if you are looking for a job. Vote if you have a job. Vote if you've lost your home. Vote if you rent. Vote if you are a first time homebuyer. Vote because your kids depend on you. Vote because you are their role model. Vote if you are pro-choice. Vote if you want the government to make choices for women. Vote if you have a student loan. If you survive on food stamps, vote.

Vote for fiscal responsibility. Vote for health care. Vote to protect Medicare and Social Security. Vote for better schools. Vote for the environment. Vote for foreign policy. Vote for veterans. Vote for libraries. Vote for the party, vote for the person, vote for the cause. Vote because you are free.

It's easy to be cynical about the political process, but voting is straight forward. You can still register to vote at the Clerk's office on East Musser and Roop streets through Oct. 16. Early voting at the Clerk's office starts Oct. 20 and runs through Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 6. A sample ballot in the mail will tell you when and where to vote, and help you decide. Info and hours from the Clerk's office is available by calling 887-2087.

You don't have to vote for every office or issue on the ballot. Don't let indecision about the Justice of the Peace race stop you from voting in the crucial races for president, U.S. Senate, or other races where you have made up your mind.

For balanced information, the League of Women Voters will hold candidates forums in Carson City on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 featuring local and state candidates and ballot issues. For more information call 885-7404.

Whether you are part of the 99 percent, the 47 percent or the 1 percent, whether you worry about the safety net or the fiscal cliff, voting is the most powerful action you can take between Oct. 20 and Nov. 6. Vote on!

• Abby Johnson is a resident of Carson City, and a part-time resident of Baker, Nev. She consults on community development and nuclear waste issues. Her opinions are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her clients.