By Randy Smith
By the time this issue of Today in Mississippi arrives in your mailbox, voting in Dixie Electric's annual Board of Directors election will already be underway. One of the unique benefits of cooperative membership is that every member has a voice in selecting the directors who serve on the board that provides oversight for our cooperative. Every member can vote for every director position on the ballot, regardless of the district in which they live.
In some years, those elections include multiple candidates. In other years, it may only be the incumbent director who chooses to seek another term. It's during those years that we often hear the same question: "Why should I vote if there's only one person on the ballot?" The answer is simple: your vote still matters, and I'd like to explain why.
Unlike investor-owned utilities, Dixie Electric is owned by the people we serve. As a member of this cooperative, you don't just receive electric service; you have a voice in how your cooperative is governed. One of the most important ways you exercise that voice is by voting in our annual board elections.
While the ballot may look different from year to year, the importance of your vote never changes.
Board service is a significant commitment. Directors devote countless hours to training, planning, and decision-making to ensure Dixie Electric remains financially strong, reliable, and focused on serving our members for generations to come. We can't determine who decides to seek a board position, but we can encourage every eligible member to participate in the election process. Casting your ballot demonstrates that you value member ownership and the democratic principles on which electric cooperatives were founded.
There's another important reason your vote matters. Our bylaws require at least 10 percent of our membership to participate in the election process in order to establish the quorum needed to conduct business at our Annual Meeting. In other words, member participation is essential to the cooperative's governance. Thanks to the convenience of online voting, it's now easier than ever to cast your ballot and help us meet that requirement.
Several years ago, our Board of Directors looked for another way to make every vote count. They committed to donating one dollar for every ballot cast to local charitable organizations throughout our service area. That means every vote not only helps fulfill your role as a cooperative member, but also supports organizations that are making a difference in our communities.
It's a simple way to put two cooperative principles into action: Democratic Member Control and Concern for Community. Whether your ballot contains one candidate or several, your participation matters.
I encourage you to take a few moments to cast your ballot or proxy, whether that is by mail, online, or in person. It's quick, convenient, and meaningful.
Serving our members is a responsibility our Board of Directors takes seriously, and so is your role as a member-owner. Thank you for taking an active part in your cooperative by participating in this year's election. Your vote is appreciated, your voice matters, and together we continue building a cooperative that reflects the values of the communities we call home.