The following is a column by Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson:

With just over a month until Election Day I can honestly say that this is one of the most exciting elections I’ve experienced.

Throughout our homes, offices and daily errands people are talking – people are engaged in the political process like never before.

Exercising your right to vote this election and every election is important. Voter registration applications can be obtained at your county election office, the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office as well as hundreds of places statewide including banks, grocery stores, and libraries. The deadline to register to vote for the 2008 General Election is October 20th.

Today, more people can vote than at any time in our nation's history - the importance of your vote cannot be underestimated.

There are a number of historical examples circulating on the internet about races where one vote truly made the difference. Some of those are valid and some have been found to be a little far-fetched but at the end of the day, all those examples do the same thing—reinforce how much every American’s voice and vote matters. They make us think about how important fulfilling our civic duty, participating in our democracy is.

In Kansas this past August primary season, two statehouse races were decided by a handful of votes. In the 118th Kansas House District, the race was decided by seventeen votes and in a Johnson County race, only three votes separated the contenders.

Every vote counts, so make your voice heard. Cast your ballot on Tuesday, November 4 or through advance voting. Information can be found on voter registration and advance voting at: http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voting.html.