Tuesday, officials with the Warren County Election Commission released the sample ballots for the Nov. 5 general election.

Displayed on the sample ballot are each of the local and statewide races residents in Warren County will be asked to either decide or have a hand in deciding when they head to the polls.

Also, with the release of the sample ballot, is the reminder that absentee voting begins Monday. Those residents who know they will not be able to visit their polling location on voting day, have plenty of time and opportunity to cast a ballot ahead of time.

Our election commissioners and those working in the circuit clerk’s office — those responsible for the coordination of our election — go through a tireless process to make sure each registered voter in Warren County knows of the upcoming election and where to cast a vote.

They send out postcards with information about the election, the precinct and ask residents to make sure information — namely address — is updated and correct.

These public servants work to make sure the public is educated on what is needed to cast a ballot and how to do so.

With absentee voting, along with more precincts in Warren County than is probably needed, there is no excuse as to why someone who is registered to vote cannot find the time or opportunity to do so.

But yet, with all of their efforts, and the effort put forth by candidates to get voters to turn out, we will very likely see just 1-in-3 registered voters turn out for November’s election.

Even with all of the advertising and mailouts, commercials and pleas, more than 60 percent of registered voters will stay home, or do something other than cast a ballot.

Locally, this election is crucial to the future of the leadership in Warren County. And regardless of whether you are supporting an incumbent or a challenger, you are supporting their opponent when staying home. You are leaving the process of electing your leadership to someone else.

If there is any chance you might not be able to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5, then take the time to go by the Warren County Courthouse and cast an absentee ballot. It is not only the right thing to do, it is the responsible thing to do.

And, if we expect our leaders to be accountable and responsible, should we not expect the same from ourselves?