If you wish to vote in next month’s primary — and if you’re not already registered — you have 10 days left in which to provide yourself access to the most basic of American rights.

The deadline to register is April 22.

Simply put, if you are not registered, you cannot vote.

Voter registration is straightforward and simple.

We write a lot about the importance of voting and registration because we believe democracy is strengthened by voter participation.

We strongly support voter registration drives and think they are crucial for voter turnout.

Consequently, we encourage organizers to step up their efforts, but at the end of the day, it is still up to each individual to register to vote.

Anyone can register to vote at the Lowndes County Elections Office or you can download the registration form at the Georgia Secretary of State website.

Just last month, Georgia voters helped the Democratic and Republican parties select their presumptive nominees for president, but there are so many more offices up for consideration May 21 — most of them at the local level.

Lowndes County voters will face contested elections for coroner, tax commissioner, county commission District 5, and both District 5 and District 7 of the county school board. They will also weigh in on who’ll be the next Superior Court judge, a contest that features two Valdosta attorneys. Some state-level offices are also on the ballot, including two Democrats facing off to see who will challenge U.S. Rep. Austin Scott in November.

Your vote will help determine the outcomes of those races.

If you are not yet registered to vote, why not?

Voting is our civic responsibility to the very government we have created to guarantee and protect our freedoms. Our civic duties go beyond merely obeying the law, serving on juries and paying income taxes. We are only a self-governed people when we exercise our rights to vote and pick our own leaders.

Register.

Participate in democracy.

Exercise your right to vote.