Daily Herald Editorial

If there is one thing this election season has made clear, it’s the passion with which Minnesotans regard their right to vote — and with good reason. America’s entire system of government is based on the idea that citizens can, should and will elect their leaders. Tuesday is the day to make that happen.

Like several other states have done, Minnesota is about to test the question of whether voters should have to show photo identification to cast a ballot. It’s a question that has inspired a great deal of debate because Minnesotans on both sides of the issue take seriously the question of voters rights. But photo ID\ is not the point of this editorial; rather, it’s an illustration of how important voting is. And, of course, the number of questions that Minnesotans will decide, or help decide, on Tuesday is vast: Who will be the president? Who will represent us in the United States Senate? Who will be on local school boards, be mayor, serve in the Legislature? The list goes on.

The turnout Tuesday is likely to be large, but every vote counts. We hope every qualified voter who reads this editorial makes time to get to the polls. It’s the way America works.