Medical and health professionals tell us that if we want good health our bodies need exercise.

Well, if we want good government we need to exercise our right to vote. Although today is Election Day — municipal elections in Beaufort County and elsewhere — the majority of voters eligible to vote in those elections will not exercise their right to vote. Does that mean they will not have good government? It’s possible.

The more informed, knowledgeable voters marking ballots at the polls, the better the chances for good government — if the right candidates are elected. Exercising one’s right to vote means more than must marking a ballot. It means studying candidates and issues to determine which candidates will do the best job if elected and which issues are the most important to voters.

There’s a reason those who are elected are called “representatives of the people” — they represent the voters’ interests and desires at the local, state and federal levels. Remember these words? “We, the people, in order to form a more perfect union …” Our elected officials must look out for the interests of the people they represent, not look out for special-interest groups. Our council members, aldermen and commissioners must remember that the same voters who put them in office have the power — and responsibility — to remove them from office when they fail to adequately represent their constituents.

The Beaufort County Board of Elections understands the need to exercise one’s right to vote. On emails it disseminates, this quote from Abraham Lincoln is included: “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

Old Abe knew the importance of exercising one’s right to vote. If we want good government, we must be involved in choosing our representatives. Going to the polls and marking ballots will accomplish that.