Common shared goals override partisanship

The 2024 election is quickly approaching. As the nation – including Eagle County and Colorado - grapples with many challenges and opportunities, the significance of citizen participation in this electoral process cannot be overstated. Voting is not only a civic duty but also a powerful means of shaping the future of our community, our state, and our nation.

Whether new to Eagle County, recently moved, attending college, or just needing to double-check, voters need to ensure their registration is up to date. By checking your voter information, you can avoid ballots mailed to old addresses (which cannot be forwarded by law) or last-minute frustrations.

Residents can easily verify and update their voter registration online by visiting the Colorado Secretary of State’s official website:GoVoteColorado.gov. Voters must enter their information to review and make any necessary changes.

Everyone should check their mailing address, residential address, and other personal information in their record. For more information or assistance, voters can visit eaglecounty.us/vote, email elections@eaglecounty.us, or call 970-328-8715.

Back to voting…regardless of which candidate you support, we likely agree on one thing: election season can be incredibly stressful. The terms "election stress," "election anxiety," and "political depression" are becoming all too familiar, reflecting a troubling reality in our political landscape.

The mudslinging oftentimes overshadows policy substance from both sides of the aisle. According to experts at Pew, fewer than 25% of Americans feel that major party candidates truly represent their values. With less than half of the electorate feeling even somewhat represented, it's no wonder election season leaves so many people feeling frustrated and alienated.

It’s no secret that our country is divided right now. All around us, it seems that polarization has reached an all-time high. We can see it on the news, on the campaign trail, on social media (especially on social media), and in our communities.

But when you talk to people, you learn that most Americans don’t want to be divided. We want a more united country – something better for all of us. We share many common goals: increased attainable and affordable housing, a strong education system, improved infrastructure, and a strong America.

Yet we’re increasingly divided. It is so bad that I’ve seen people say that they “have nothing in common” and “cannot be friends” with anyone who supports a different candidate. To this, I say balderdash (the other things I’d like to say can’t be printed). We can (and should) still be friends with people who vote differently.

Because here’s the thing: we’re all Americans. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, Unaffiliated, or other affiliation doesn’t matter. Our party affiliation, who we vote for, or how we vote on a ballot initiative does not define us. We are neighbors first. Our local elections impact our daily lives more than the president does – and our local candidates have modeled how to run a campaign by campaigning without being disagreeable (and they deserve credit for this).

Be passionate, make your case for or against a candidate or an issue, and remember that the issues facing our community, and our country are not Democrat or Republican issues - they’re community issues, and we need everyone to work together to solve them.

Please remember despite the polarization that exists or who you’re pulling for (or pushing against) …. we’re still the UNITED States. If I can be friends with Chiefs and Husker fans, I can easily be friends with those who have different candidate preferences. I sincerely hope you can do the same.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, the regional chamber of commerce. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com