This editorial appears in the Nov. 3, 2009, Yakima Herald-Republic.

Years ago, an early winter storm could doom the turnout on an election day. Faced with blustery winds and drifting snow, prospective voters would often surrender to the elements and forego the arduous task of getting to the polling booths on time.

But those days are gone. Rain, wind and hail will have no effect on the votes being tallied today. Only indifference matters now.

With mail-in ballots, we have the luxury of time to study the ballot, ponder the issues and reflect on the measure of a candidate against his or her opponent.

Nonetheless, barely one-half of eligible voters -- Yakima County issued 97,126 ballots -- will mark their ballots and turn them in for today's general election. That's a depressing figure, especially when considering what's on the ballot.

In the Yakima Valley, everyone has a reason to vote. First, voters are being asked to renew the Yakima County criminal justice sales tax for another six years. It would provide a steady funding stream for law enforcement, prosecutors and the court system.

Contested races for city council are being waged in Grandview, Mabton, Selah, Moxee, Sunnyside, Tieton, Toppenish, Union Gap and Yakima. School board races, which touch nearly every corner of the county, also crowd the ballot.

Then there are the two statewide ballot measures -- Initiative 1033 and Referendum 71. I-1033 is another attempt by Tim Eyman, a veteran of numerous statewide measures who grew up in Yakima's West Valley, to curb government spending by holding it to 2010 levels and allowing it to rise only to reflect inflation and population growth. Referendum 71, on the other hand, asks voters to approve or reject expanded domestic-partnership benefits for gay couples and senior domestic partners age 62 or older.

Both measures have stirred debate, led to high drama in the courts and feverish spending in the final days leading up to today's ballot counting. Recent polls show I-1033 trailing and Referendum 71 leading, but all that could change when voters send in their ballots by today's deadline.

The key is marking your ballot and, in turn, making a mark on your community. That's what voting is really all about.

Griping about change and doing something about it are two entirely different propositions. As we have seen all too often in recent weeks, complaining in a loud, boisterous way is easy. Getting the gumption to roll up your sleeves and do something about it -- like voting -- is a whole different matter.

So if you haven't voted yet, there's still time. And if you have, take pride in the fact that you care about your community.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.