The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 general election is this coming Tuesday. Registrars in both counties have placed notices calling residents’ attention to this deadline.

Change begins at home and only citizens who have signed up to vote can help to bring about this change. It seems that every year brings another roadblock at the polls. This process has gone from voter identification cards, to other ID, and soon-to-be-approved photo ID—all measures that the proponents assert is to decrease voting fraud.

We are not aware of any cases of voter fraud from our area and rather resent the implication. Why suspect everyone?

Opponents of these stricter ID laws claim the real reason is to discourage certain classes of voters from making the effort to go to the polls—people who may not have a driver’s license, for instance, and don’t have the time or ability to go seek something the state will approve.

It may be; it may not. But the fact remains, one can only bring about change in our government by participating in it. Voting is the most direct way to participate. And one must be a registered voter in order to take part in elections.

For more information, if you live in Gloucester, call 693-3659. If you live in Mathews, call 725-3200. You may apply for registration online as well at the statewide website http://www.vote.virginia.gov

It’s the first step to being a contributing citizen of the United States of America, and like a baby’s first step, it is the most important one.