One of the fundamental privileges, not a right, as an American is to cast a ballot during a free election.

Locally, voters in Warren County will be going to the polls next month to elect a new state representative in District 54. Alex Monsour had to resign his seat in July after being elected Vicksburg’s South Ward Alderman.

District 54 encompasses a portion of Vicksburg, as well as northern and eastern areas of Warren County. It includes all of the precincts in Bovina, Culkin, Oak Ridge and Redwood; portions of the Cedar Grove and Kings precincts and all of precinct 3-61, a portion of Vicksburg Junior High School, all of the Beechwood and Plumbers and Pipefitters precincts and part of the Tingerville precinct.

Call the Warren County Election Commission at 601-638-8875 or the Warren County Circuit Clerk’s office at 601-636-3961 to find out if you qualify to vote in the special election.

Joe Bonelli, Dr. Randy Easterling and Kevin Ford have qualified for the District 54 seat.

Currently, absentee voting is taking place to fill the unexpired term. Voters can cast an absentee ballot through Nov. 4. The special election will be held Nov. 7. Registered voters can vote absentee at the Warren County Circuit Clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 7 and 28 and Nov. 4.

If you have not registered to vote and want to cast a ballot in this special election, you have until Oct. 7. You can register at the circuit clerk’s office.

Voting is something none of us should take for granted and casting a ballot is a means by which we as Americans can exercise our freedom.

All elections are important, but the local and state elections have a very direct impact on the community from the decisions those locally elected officials make. One could argue they may hold even greater importance than a national election. We encourage you to exercise your privilege and register and vote.

It’s the American thing to do.