It’s election day and it’s shaping up to be the most important election ever!

How important? Experts predict that 12 percent of eligible adults will vote this year. Participants cite the need to “do something” as their primary motivator for getting out to vote. What drives them to decide to vote a certain way though?

Local resident James Janice, who waited until the last minute to vote today, stated “I’m looking forward to seeing what’s on the ballot when I get in there. Then I’ll go on my gut feeling to decide how I’m going to vote. Voting is very important to me, I vote every year!”

Other voters had different takes.

“I plan to vote straight-ticket,” says Gary Smart, an avid political activist in the area. According to John Jackson, who votes exclusively in general elections, he plans to vote for the winners. “I watch the polls, see what looks likely to win, and then vote for that. I’m all about picking the winners. You can’t lose that way!”

Online debate has been particularly fierce this year. A few weeks ago we asked our readers about how they planned to vote. Local resident Tim Johnson was roundly derided for stating he may stay home this year due to lack of choices on the ballot. Other respondents took turns telling him that he would be the reason the election doesn’t go their way and that all of our nation’s current political problems are his fault.

Organizations have worked diligently this year to produce voter education guides, ensuring the electorate are given the opportunity to make an informed vote. The most recent available data shows that a massive less than 1 percent of voters have opted to make use of these resources.