Early voting began last week ahead of the Nov. 6 election. It’s a wonderful and easy way to take part in the election process and strengthen the essential act that forms our democracy.

Yes, these are troubling times, and more people seem and feel disenfranchised than ever before. There is discontent across the land, as citizens who elect their leaders feel more and more isolated from them, and in disagreement with policies and laws being pushed in Washington and even Atlanta.

It doesn’t have to be that way. The ballot box is a powerful weapon to wield. “The ballot is stronger than the bullet,” Abraham Lincoln famously once said. Sometimes it may not seem so, but it is.

Locally we have held primary elections, but we still must elect our sheriff, county commissioner and members of the State House in the General Election, in addition to President of the United States.

Early voting continues through Nov. 2. Early voting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Troup County Government Center on Ridley Avenue.

You still have plenty of time to schedule your visit to the polling place. Waits are rare and usually short. Vote early and miss the hassle of getting out on election day, when unforeseen emergencies or schedule changes can affect your ability to cast a ballot.

All elections are important. So is this one. Local, state and Washington leadership will be selected to represent Troup County and Georgia. Your input is needed and expected. Don’t let democracy down.