EDITORIAL: Voters, seize ownership of election season
Shreveport Times (excerpt)

How appropriate to kick off election season the week of July 4. As qualifying begins Wednesday for races that range from U.S. Senate to Rodessa alderman, voters must remember their role in this hard-won representative democracy. It's not supposed to be a spectator sport.

In particular, don't let the heat and light from our 24-hour news channels blind us to the important local elections that will shape our community over the next four years. Shreveporters, for instance, could see significant changes at City Hall since five of the seven incumbent council members are leaving the panel. Voters also will consider whether to rehire the incumbent mayor or look to several challengers.

You've no doubt got your own specific issues you want to pursue. The point is to engage these candidates on substance rather than platitude. It's our town, parish, state and nation and we need to act like the owners, not the tenants.