Election season is here

There are only a few days left until the Sept. 14 primaries, which will determine who will be on the ballot on Election Day, Nov. 2.

Key seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate are up for grabs in this year’s midterm election. With the national races focusing on all-important issues including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, reforms in health care and on Wall Street and the creation of jobs, this vote could determine the balance of power in the federal government.

In New York, politicians in Albany — on both the executive and legislative levels — have not exactly been the most popular public figures over the past two years. This was a term marred by investigations, resignations, a growing deficit, a delayed budget process and a struggle for power in the state Senate.

This year’s voting is especially important because those who are elected to the state Legislature will be a part of the redistricting process. The realigning of Senate, Assembly and congressional districts during the next two years could play a major role in the outcomes of elections and the direction of legislation for a decade or longer.

We’ve heard the refrain before: If you’re mad at the way things are going in Albany, then vote out the incumbents. But even when it appears that voters have had it up to here with their state officials, incumbents are almost always returned to office.

That could mean many things. It could indicate that despite their complaints that nothing seems to get done in Albany, voters are actually pleased with their own representatives. As long as the system of member items continues, with politicians divvying up funds for their districts, there are bound to be blocs of happy voters.

And there are politicians who truly put their hearts into doing their best for their communities. If that’s the case in your hamlet, village, town or city — if you feel that your representative is working hard for you in the Capitol and focusing on the issues that are important to you — then by all means vote for him or her. Your vote is your statement that your candidate is the best one for the job.