Tomorrow's vote in the U.S. presidential election is pivotal, and very well could be historic. Make sure to be a part of it.
If the long lines of early voters throughout the nation are any indication, the general election Tuesday between Democrat Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will bring a record turnout of voters. Obama leads in national polls, and appears to have a strong edge in the electoral map. He's trying to become the first black president of the United States. A McCain victory, following the historically unpopular presidency of George W. Bush and in the face of a growing national economic crisis, would be a late turnaround and upset of epic proportions.
In Green County, Clerk Mike Doyle expects a strong turnout, though he told the Times he's not sure it will top the typical 60 to 65 percent participation among registered voters in presidential elections. We think the turnout should be higher than 65 percent, and will be.
The interest in the presidential election is one thing. But there also is an extremely important race in the 80th State Assembly District to consider. Monroe Democrat John Waelti is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Brett Davis of Oregon. The 80th district race is among a handful Democrats are targeting in their attempt to gain a majority in the Assembly. Democrats already control the Senate and the governor's mansion. A power shift in the Assembly would have significant political ramifications in Madison.
The 51st Assembly District has its own interesting race, between freshman incumbent Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, and upstart challenger Nathan Russell, a young Republican from Sauk City.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel last week included the 51st District among those Democrats could lose. The Wisconsin State Journal termed the 80th District race a "toss-up."
Because of the important issues of reforming education funding, reducing health care costs and tackling what is sure to be another significant state budget gap, the outcome of races in the state Assembly are extremely important.
There is no good reason for a registered voter in Green County or Wisconsin not to vote on Tuesday. The polls are open from 7 a.m. and don't close until 8 p.m. There's plenty of time to get to your polling place. Green County polling places are listed in today's edition, on Page A3.
And even if you aren't registered to vote today, you can be registered tomorrow. It might take a little time at the polling place to go through the process, but it would be time well spent.
The wonderful experiment of democracy in the United States relies upon an informed and involved electorate. Participation in elections is the cornerstone of the democratic process. The candidates, and the country, are depending on you casting your ballot on Tuesday. Don't let them down.
If the long lines of early voters throughout the nation are any indication, the general election Tuesday between Democrat Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will bring a record turnout of voters. Obama leads in national polls, and appears to have a strong edge in the electoral map. He's trying to become the first black president of the United States. A McCain victory, following the historically unpopular presidency of George W. Bush and in the face of a growing national economic crisis, would be a late turnaround and upset of epic proportions.
In Green County, Clerk Mike Doyle expects a strong turnout, though he told the Times he's not sure it will top the typical 60 to 65 percent participation among registered voters in presidential elections. We think the turnout should be higher than 65 percent, and will be.
The interest in the presidential election is one thing. But there also is an extremely important race in the 80th State Assembly District to consider. Monroe Democrat John Waelti is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Brett Davis of Oregon. The 80th district race is among a handful Democrats are targeting in their attempt to gain a majority in the Assembly. Democrats already control the Senate and the governor's mansion. A power shift in the Assembly would have significant political ramifications in Madison.
The 51st Assembly District has its own interesting race, between freshman incumbent Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, and upstart challenger Nathan Russell, a young Republican from Sauk City.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel last week included the 51st District among those Democrats could lose. The Wisconsin State Journal termed the 80th District race a "toss-up."
Because of the important issues of reforming education funding, reducing health care costs and tackling what is sure to be another significant state budget gap, the outcome of races in the state Assembly are extremely important.
There is no good reason for a registered voter in Green County or Wisconsin not to vote on Tuesday. The polls are open from 7 a.m. and don't close until 8 p.m. There's plenty of time to get to your polling place. Green County polling places are listed in today's edition, on Page A3.
And even if you aren't registered to vote today, you can be registered tomorrow. It might take a little time at the polling place to go through the process, but it would be time well spent.
The wonderful experiment of democracy in the United States relies upon an informed and involved electorate. Participation in elections is the cornerstone of the democratic process. The candidates, and the country, are depending on you casting your ballot on Tuesday. Don't let them down.
