Slowly, but surely, the list of candidates for 2020 county, state and national elections is falling into place. While there are still some slots that don’t have candidates quite yet, that is sure to change by this time next week.

Filing for offices on the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, Beaufort County Board of Education, Register of Deeds, N.C. House and N.C. Senate continue at the Beaufort County Board of Elections through noon next Friday. That’s not to mention local judicial races, council of state races and elections that will determine who sits in Congress and the White House.

By next Friday, local voters will have a clearer picture of their options in 2020. If necessary, those candidates will face off against others from their own party in primary elections in March. The winners will go on to face off in the November 2020 general election.

In our society today, so much of the political discourse plays out online. On social media, message boards and other venues, keyboard warriors vigorously criticize the actions of elected officials and profess to have all the answers on how local, state and federal governments should be run.

The detachment of the internet unfortunately lowers inhibitions, giving some folks the courage to say things that they would never say face to face — in some cases, things that would make their mothers blush. Online politics also gives way to “conversations” littered with falsehoods, angry words and dubious sources of information.

It’s easy to rant on Facebook about how corrupt such-and-such politician or government body may be. It’s simple to sling mud without any real research or knowledge of the issues.

But you know what’s harder?

Actually showing up to government meetings to hear firsthand what’s being said and to witness the actions being taken. Most people don’t even bother. The path of least resistance is sitting at home on the phone or computer, playing armchair politics.

So consider this a call to action — a three-pronged, progressive approach to making a difference in local, and maybe even state and national politics:

1. If you don’t like an officeholder or their policies, use your rights as an American to express that displeasure. Don’t be among the more than half of local voters who fail to show up on Election Day.
2. Be informed. Try showing up for a meeting every once in a while to understand the issues. Be engaged with your local elected officials. Ask questions. Take notes. Take the time to make your own, informed opinion on the issues.
3. If all else fails, and you have a burning desire to make a difference, consider running for office. All it costs is your time and the filing fee. It’s $140 to have your name on the ballot for N.C. House or Senate, $174 for county commissioner and a whopping $32 to run for Board of Education.

Granted, not everyone has the time, money or desire to run for elected office, but we can all try and do the first two. But if you’ve got that real desire to make a difference, a burning passion to build a better county, state and country, why not give it a shot? It’s better than just complaining on Facebook.