As we all know, it’s election year and the pool of candidates is shrinking. In order for each party to narrow it down to one candidate, there are caucuses and primaries. Kansas is having caucuses, and anyone who will be old enough to vote in the general election can participate.

So you could potentially caucus at 17.

So do.

Seriously, this is pretty much as direct as our democracy gets, and you really can make a difference by participating.

Depending on your region, the Republican caucus will be held at 10 a.m. at the VFW on March 5. Only registered Republicans can caucus, and the registration deadline has passed.

The Democratic caucus will also be held on March 5, and you shouldn’t be to the American Legion any later than 2:30 p.m. You can register as a Democrat on the same day, but should probably get it done before hand. (Again, check to make sure this is the correct area for you.)

If you are old enough, it is so important to get out there and be politically active. It is our civil responsibility.

Let’s prove people wrong and show them that millennials aren’t all lazy people who don’t care. We need to care. The future is in our hands.

If good candidates are nominated, we can say that we voted for them. If bad candidates are selected, at least we know that we weren’t a part of the majority that voted for them.

Be politically aware and involved because what happens in the future isn’t completely out of our control.

16bmathias@usd489.com