In the early days of the United States, you had to own property to vote. African Americans didn’t have the right to vote until the end of the Civil War. Women struggled for decades before they won the right to vote nationwide in 1920. Even in recent years, people with disabilities and limited English skills often found it hard to vote. A lot of people have struggled and died over this very basic right of democracy - the right to vote.

The election is about you. That’s right. Your family, your health care, your job, your school, your community, and your environment. Elected officials at all government and agency levels make decisions about things that are important to you. Voting is your chance to choose the decision makers and tell them what you want.

At the local level, there are three seats up for election on the Grover Beach City Council, which is a five-member legislative body. There is also a local Measure before Grover Beach voters (see related article on Measure O-04). The Municipal Election will be held in conjunction with the statewide General Election on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Sample ballots were mailed out to every registered voter between late September and mid-October detailing local, state, and federal issues.

Are you registered to vote? Registering to vote is easy! If you are a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old, you can pick up a voter registration form at any City Hall, the local Post Office, or at the San Luis Obispo County Elections Office, 1144 Monterey Street. You can also use the Internet to download a voter registration form at www.sloclerkrecorder.org. Make sure you fill out the form completely, print, sign, and mail it to the County-Clerk Recorder’s Office in San Luis Obispo. If you've recently moved or changed your name, you need to re-register.

The last day to register to vote is Monday, October 18. Information on the polling place to cast your vote is located on your sample ballot. You can also look it up on the Internet at www.sloclerkrecorder.org.