Here are questions to ask yourself before you vote.

As of Oct. 28, more than 40 percent of North Carolina’s 7.9 million registered voters had already cast ballots through early voting or mail.

I’ll leave it to the analysts, much smarter than me, to analyze and figure out who voted and why, but the number is surprisingly large. I suspect that most people are so fed up with this election that they have voted and are hoping to close their eyes and ears to the constant buzz of negative advertising and chatter until this election is over.

The final percentage of registered voters who cast ballots in the 2020 COVID-19 election was 75.35 percent, a modern record. Since 2000, the average turnout in a presidential year has been 67.55 percent. Most of those planning to vote may have already done so, but there is another 29 percent of our 7.9 million registered voters who have not voted.

I suspect that when all is said and done, we will reach 79 percent turnout. Most polls show that about 6 percent of voters say they are undecided on a presidential candidate, and it’s possible that a few more percent could be persuaded to change their preferences once they step into the voting booth. Whether you voted or not, I want to ask two and a half questions because they are important to the outcome and our future. Here’s the first one:

It’s 3 a.m. and the red phone is ringing in the White House. There is a problem somewhere in the world. Who do you want to answer the phone?

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This is the ultimate test of the president, with lives potentially at stake. Decisions must be made. Do you want a president who surrounds himself with experienced, rational people who can assess a situation and weigh how responses or actions will impact both the people of our country and the rest of the world? A person who recognizes and can speak the truth and act responsibly? Or do you want someone who doesn’t seek or listen to others, who prides himself on using his “gut” to make decisions? This won’t be circus time. This is not the time for bragging, bragging, blaming and cursing.

To answer this question, we need to put on the reality glasses of the real world and make the decision that is best for everyone. And it’s okay, as Liz and Dick Cheney, the legion of Republicans who served in the first Trump administration and hundreds of prominent Republicans said, to cross party lines and vote for Kamala rather than because they are in lockstep with her policies. but because Kamala is the best choice between the two we have.

Second question: How important is the rule of law to you and this country? We hear this phrase often in political discussions, but what does it really mean?

As defined by the World Justice Project, there are four main elements of the rule of law. These are accountability, fair laws, open government, and accessible and impartial justice.

Let’s start with responsibility. This means that the government, as well as leaders and ordinary citizens, are accountable to the law. The rule of law does not apply to some and exclude others. Everyone is responsible.

A just law is one that is clear, widely known, stable, and evenly applied. A just law ensures that human rights, as well as property, contract, and procedural rights, are consistent with what is morally right and good.

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Open government means what it says it does. The processes by which the law is made, implemented, adjudicated and enforced are accessible, fair and efficient. Every citizen has a reasonable opportunity to question laws and policies and have their questions answered.

Finally, there is an urgent need for justice to be accessible and impartial. This means that judges and administrators are competent, ethical, independent and fair. He is not vindictive and does not favor one class over another.

Ask yourself, which of our presidential candidates best exemplifies the rule of law and will support elements of it? Again, my answer is obvious. Trump and the qualities of truth, fairness, accountability and impartiality are completely unfamiliar.

I called the next question a half-question because it was asked by Liz Cheney, a Republican who has never voted Democratic but is planning to vote for Harris. The question and answer are quite simple. Cheney asked which candidate would you trust to look after your child?

It is time to put duty to your country above your political and personal preferences. Answer these questions keeping in mind not only the next four years, but also the future of your children, grandchildren and those yet to be born.

We will look back on this election as a turning point for our country. This is so important.

Tom Campbell is a North Carolina Hall of Fame broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy since 1965. Contact him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on the Wilmington StarNews: Opinion: Tom Campbell urges people to think before they vote