And so the Kitsap Regional Library system and the Poulsbo Fire Department are seeking their respective lid lifts as they struggle in the wake of Initiative 747. KRL seeks an additional 18 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation, the PFD 49 cents more per $1,000 valuation.

The Herald has endorsed both.

But what about the most important cost? What expense could be more important than those that support emergency and library services? Here’s a hint. It’s just 39 cents.

No, it’s not your favorite candy bar.

In fact, it tastes pretty bad, terrible even but without it — for the vast majority of Kitsap County — both ballots have zero chance of passing.

Without stamps, mail-in ballots don’t really work out too well. Yet, the simple and inexpensive step is one that is sometimes overlooked by our voting populace as all too many ballots make their journey from the mailbox to the bill stack to the trash a day or so after the election. While the system was created to make voting easier for everyone, sometimes it seems like it’s just too easy — to forget that is.

Keeping this in mind, we urge those of you now who have yet to vote for the May 15 measure(s) to stop reading and take a look around the house for either a stamp or 39 cents (it’s OK, we’ll wait)…………………………………………………………………. Got one or the other? In the sofa cushions? Of course.

Now go ahead and find your ballot and vote.

It doesn’t take long. It doesn’t cost much and — seeing as it’s your duty as an American and all — it’s pocket change that’s well spent. Just don’t forget to mail it in by next Tuesday, OK?