The political climate we live in has became highly charged these last couple of years. Whether you’re perusing social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, or watching late-night television, it is hard to miss someone expressing their political opinion, or their disgust or joy with the actions of those in power.

It is one thing to talk about what you like and don’t like about what’s being done by those holding office, but words without action mean nothing. That’s why it is comforting to see both early voting and registered voter numbers are up in Beaufort County compared to the last midterm election in 2014, according to the Beaufort County Board of Elections.

In 2014, Beaufort County had 32,670 registered voters, with 8,271, or 25.32 percent of all registered voters, choosing to cast their ballots early. In comparison, this year, Beaufort County has 33,535 residents registered to have their voices heard through the act of voting. Even better news than the fact the county has more residents who’ve registered to vote is 10,315 of them, or 30.76 percent, decided to vote early.

It must be mentioned, part of the reason for the higher number of early voters, and a higher percentage of registered voters doing so before Election Day, is that this year’s early voting period was five days longer than back in 2014. But it’s safe to say the seemingly increase in interest in politics, as seen on your old high school classmate’s Facebook post or the opening monologue on the Tonight Show, is being reflected by more participation in the voting process.

It still remains to be seen if 2018 will see an increase in total voters compared to the 17,959 ballots cast in 2014, which accounted for 54.97 percent of Beaufort County’s registered voters. But, it’s still not too late to vote if you haven’t done so already. Go ahead and get down to your assigned polling place. Join in with the thousands of your fellow Beaufort County residents and make a difference — have your voice heard.