Hopefully by tonight, as we say in the South, “It’s all over but the shouting.”

Today is Election Day.

Months of campaigning and thousands upon thousands of dollars spent to woo voters culminate today.

Today’s party primaries will decide many local races and a few statewide races in Mississippi as well. It’s likely, however, that a few races will require a runoff.

Although it’s easy to take the privilege of voting for granted, we urge all voters to consider just how important voting is. Don’t let apathy take a hold.

We urge citizens who are jaded with the voting process to drive Cemetery Road and look out at the thousands of markers dotting the landscape at the Natchez National Cemetery.

Our country was founded on the principle that every man was created equal and that every voice in our country matters, that every vote counts. The headstones represent many of the soldiers who fought to protect this country’s freedoms, including the right to vote. Nowhere is that more evident than in our local elections when the difference between winning and losing can often come down to just a handful of votes. Your vote is important and we encourage everyone who is registered to please take the time to vote today.

Remember as you go to the polls today, voters must essentially “pick a party’s ballot.” That means you must either vote on the Democratic ballot or the Republican ballot. Since today’s election is a party primary, you cannot vote across party lines.

However, in Mississippi, it doesn’t matter in which primary you typically vote or in which party you most associate yourselves. In fact, you don’t even have to be a card-carrying member of either party. All registered voters are eligible to vote in either party primary.