This is a perennial question which plagues conservative candidates and ballot initiatives that lose by narrow margins. What if Alaskans had been able to inspire just a few more people to turn out on election day?

There will likely be several very close contests in the upcoming general election – races that may come down to just a handful of votes.

Rather than hope for the best, it would behoove conservatives to take the next few days – especially this weekend – to actively encourage friends and neighbors to vote.

In particular, churches are key to increasing voter turnout. Ask your pastor or priest to set aside a few minutes this Sunday to encourage civic engagement. Then utilize the coffee and donuts time to personally urge fellow congregants and parishioners to cast their ballots.

So many races over the years might have turned out differently if just one extra church was more engaged in urging the faithful to bring their convictions to the ballot box. This is a key weekend, let us not wonder what might have been if we’d only spoken up.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

Click here to support the Alaska Watchman.