There's been much talk lately about election integrity, probably more than at any other time I can recall in my lifetime. We're now in another election season, one far less stressful than most. The Southern Standard's Best of the Best voting is currently underway.

Now in its 27th year, the Best of the Best reader's choice competition is a Southern Standard tradition that annually generates a lot of interest throughout Warren County. Readers are asked to suggest nominees for a wide variety of categories, recognizing the best in restaurants, shopping, community members, professional services, amentities, lifestyle and entertainment, education and health and medicine. Best of the Best is a way for Warren countians to celebrate fellow citizens for their outstanding work and service to the community as well as a way for customers to reward their favorite businesses or service providers. 

It's certainly an honor for individuals who are recognized by their peers. It's also a valuable marketing tool for businesses. I often visit businesses where I see walls devoted to their previous Best of the Best accolades and many businesses use the prestigious title in advertising and on signs. There will certainly be no shortage of honorees. This year's ballot, which can be found on pages 4-5B of today's newspaper ad well as in Sunday's paper, contains 197 different categories. Additionally, after ballots have run in the newspaper, online voting will begin on Sunday at SouthernStandard.com. Voting continues until Monday, May 22 at 5 p.m. and winners will be announced in a special section of the Southern Standard June 30.

In contrast to traditional elections where the phrase, "vote early, vote often" is sometimes used as a  tongue-in-cheek phrase to mock voting integrity, stuffing the ballot box is highly encouraged in Best of the Best voting. Only original ballots from the Southern Standard will be counted; no copies will be accepted. So, if you'd like to come  to our office and buy a stack of newspapers to vote for your favorites, we are certainly OK with that. 

I've been working at the Standard since Best of the Best was in its infancy and I'm always a little bit impressed by the level of engagement the promotion generates across the county, both from regular Standard readers and new readers. It's a big deal and I encourage everyone to take part. And, hey, there's even a category for Best of the Best local newspaper columnist. Hopefully, you'll make the Wright choice. 

Seriously though, this is a Warren County tradition that has been going on for over a quarter of a century and is one we are proud to continue. So please, vote early and vote often.

Standard Managing Editor Seth Wright can be reached at (931) 473-2191