There’s no excuse for not voting in this year’s election. There are ample ways, ample times and ample places to handle any excuse that might come up for not voting.

Early voting got under way Thursday, and the Sampson County Board of Elections is offering four sites around the county for residents to utilize between now and, the final day for one-stop ballots to be cast, on Saturday, Nov. 3.

With early voting, which includes curbside voting for those unable to leave their vehicles to cast ballots inside, extended and weekend hours designed to help those who work different shifts or who can’t during a work day break free for the few minutes it takes to complete this very important civic duty, there seems no viable excuse not to be an active participant in the electoral process.

We encourage residents to vote early, ensuring that your voice is heard in this all-important election, which will determine our leaders in local, state and national races.

And, for those who can’t vote early — that process ends Saturday, Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. — there’s always Election Day, Nov. 6

It really doesn’t matter when you cast your vote, what matters is that you do, and that you, in voting, make informed choices that reflect your own views and your own desires for our county, the state of North Carolina and the United States of America.

Although there’s been much about this political season that has been anything but palatable, the one good thing that seems to have come from it all is a renewed excitement in the political process.

More people than ever, particularly young adults, want to vote, and no matter which candidate you are for in any race, that Americans have found interest again in letting their voices be heard through their vote is likely the best thing that will come from election 2012.

As of this writing, over 1,000 people have already taken advantage of early voter. We hope more will do the same.

We also hope the same spark of interest that has ignited a nation will feed the political fires in Sampson County, drawing more people to the polls than ever before.

We had a remarkable turnout in the 2008 presidential election, where over 25,500 registered voters cast ballots in Sampson County; over 13,000 of those voted early.

There’s little doubt, this year’s presidential race will bring out similar numbers. But remember, there are local and state races to consider, too, and they should be viewed with the same importance as choosing other leaders.

The bottom line is voting.

What’s more, all those old enough to vote but yet still not registered to do so should take the opportunity during the early voting process to sign up and, at the same time, cast their ballot.

Every election is important. The choices made are those that will directly impact each and every American.

We encourage voting every time an election rolls around; we encourage voters to think for themselves and make the choices that are in their own hearts; and we continue to do so today.

So cast your vote early, or do so on Nov. 6. But whatever you do, please don’t stay home and allow someone else to make your decisions for you.