Every election tells a story about who we are and where we’re headed. It’s not just a tally of votes. It’s a measure of engagement of how many people still care enough to take part in shaping Midland’s future.

In a community full of entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and people who believe in hard work, we should never be content to let a small percentage of voters carry the load for everyone else. When we stay home, we don’t just miss an election. We miss a chance to say, “I’m invested in what happens here.”

Midland has always been defined by participation. We build, we serve, we innovate. Civic life requires the same involvement that built our businesses and churches. When citizens disengage, decisions are still made, but without their input. And when only a few decide for the many, the sense of shared ownership that makes this place special begins to fade.

We need seasoned voices who will stay consistent in participation, and we need younger voices who will step up for the first time. Midland’s median age keeps getting younger, and that’s good news. It means new families, new ideas, and new energy. But that energy only matters if it shows up at the ballot box, at city meetings, and in community discussions that decide our direction.

What happens in Midland matters to our region, our state, and our nation. The opportunity to vote is more than a right. It’s an invitation to invest in the place you call home. So, keep showing up. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. Midland’s strength has always been proven when we’re willing to show up. Let’s keep showing up for Midland.

Editor’s note: Patrick Payton served as mayor of Midland from 2020 to 2023. A longtime pastor and community leader, he guided the city through a period of historic growth and challenge, including the COVID-19 pandemic.