It’s still more than six weeks until Election Day. The upcoming election will afford those citizens who choose to vote the opportunity to shape the future of our community, state and nation. Given the impact American policies have almost everywhere in the world, it is really no exaggeration to say that the voices of this country’s voters are heard all over the planet.

Amazingly, many people choose not to vote. That poses a serious threat to our democratic system. American governmental institutions won’t work as intended if citizens fail to express their preferences by voting.

That’s why major efforts have been made in recent years to eliminate the obstacles that can make it difficult for a potential voter to show up at the polls on a particular day. In addition to the traditional absentee voting option that has long been available, many states make it possible for their citizens to cast ballots in person over an extended period of time prior to Election Day. Here in Iowa, the availability of the early voting option starts Thursday.

While this newspaper strongly supports having early voting available to Iowans, we would be remiss if we did not point out that there are good reasons to delay voting until the official Election Day or as close to that day as possible.

Before voting early give some thought to the following:

Being a good citizen requires making as informed a voting decision as possible. Since much of the information about candidates emerges during the course of a campaign, voting too soon can mean doing so without fullest possible knowledge about the contenders.

Things can happen during the course of a campaign that might alter a voter’s choice. Late-breaking news may make a candidate’s position on a key issue far more pertinent than it might have seemed even a short time before the official Election Day. For example, this year the evolving situation in the Middle East might mean that candidates have yet to take detailed positions on how – and whether – the U.S. should intervene militarily in Iraq and Syria.

Recognizing that many voters aren’t paying close attention to campaigns until the time to vote nears, many candidates delay publicizing where they stand on key issues until relatively close to Election Day. They do this to maximize the impact of this information. Consequently, voters who cast ballots very early may find they lacked important knowledge that might have caused them to opt for a different candidate.

Dramatic events such as the death or disability of a candidate or even a major scandal can happen at any time. Voting on Election Day – or close to – increases the likelihood that you will have the chance to take such matters into consideration when you make your voting decision.

Defend your democratic birthright by voting in this year’s election. Make sure, however, that you don’t shortchange yourself by casting a ballot too soon.