One of the most precious aspects of voting is just how hard people before us have fought to protect it. Think back to the early American patriots who stood up for the right to vote and literally gave their lives for that freedom. Those times may seem like they are in the distant past, but there are still many countries in the world where voting is a point of cultural oppression. You owe it to those who went before you to carry out your civic duty. The founding fathers believed that an informed electorate was necessary to maintain an effective society. In the initial stages of voting, eligible voters were expected to not only research issues and candidates, but also speak on them at public meetings. Voting was a privilege that citizens took seriously, and it’s something that many members of our military have fought hard to protect. TODAY’S VETERAN CONNECTION Many states have leveraged the exercise of voting as an opportunity to honor our veterans. North Carolina, for example,…