Our Opinion: Now it’s up to you — vote

News Tribune editorial

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Your turn.

For months leading up to today’s election, you have been pummeled with messages, pounded with promises and annoyed by robo-calls.

The candidates have outlined their positions, advanced their arguments and, in some cases, vilified their opponents.

Where, voters must wonder, do candidates find those unflattering, grainy black-and-white photos to accompany attack ads?

The process is not always pretty, but it soon will be all over but the vote-counting, the concessions and the victory speeches.

Today, nearly three-quarters of registered voters are expected to participate in the decision-making process that characterizes us as a free people.

Voter turnout predictions from state and county election authorities are nearly identical. Cole County Clerk Marvin Register has forecast 73 percent turnout, slightly higher than the 72 percent predicted by Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. Her number translates into more than 3 million of Missouri’s 4,190,9326 registered voters casting ballots today.

Participation is expected to be high because this is a presidential election. Missourians also will elect a U.S. senator, governor and four other executives, and lawmakers. County residents will elect commissioners and other office-holders.

Also to be decided are ballot issues, ranging from a statewide constitutional amendment to a Jefferson City annexation measure.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Because a high turnout is expected, election officials remind voters advance preparation will make the process more efficient for everyone.

If in doubt, voters may verify their registration, find their polling location, view a sample ballot and learn their options for acceptable voting identification by visiting www.GoVoteMissouri.com.

If voters remain undecided, they also may familiarize themselves with the candidates and issues by studying the Sunday Views section or one of the sample ballots published in the News Tribune, or check the summaries here online.

You’ve listened a long time. This is the day you get to be heard by casting your vote.

NewsTribune.com will post national, state and area election results as they become available this evening. And Wednesday's newspaper and e-Edition will feature additional reaction and analysis.

More like this story

Sequoia 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Don't get suckered, y'all!

Vote your economic interest.

Don't believe the hype. Believe the numbers: Republicans borrow more than Democrats. Socialism? Please. Democrats are the conservatives in the United States!

economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/11/daily-chart

Quote:

"Since the end of the second world war, Democratic presidents have been considerably more successful than Republican presidents at keeping a tight grip on the nation's finances. Democrats have presided over reductions in the debt burden, on net, while Republicans have led in periods with net increases in borrowing."

How long are people going to be suckered into voting against their own economic interests?

Hopefully not long.

Get out there!

copcamaro 6 months, 2 weeks ago

And this president you want us to vote for didn't even know how much the deficet is and has raised it more in his 4 year feasco than all the other ones. Oh yeh he is a consirvative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VOTE R/R and save this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

spelchek 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Don't get suckered, y'all! Don't listen to Sequoia, he/she thinks Obama is a centrist conservative...whatever that means.

Sequoia 6 months, 2 weeks ago

It's not me, its the Economist, dude! One of the oldest and most respected conservative magazines in the world!

Don't take my word for it. Take the Economist's!

MsEMS 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Just vote what you believe is best for you, but do vote!

JCLifer 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Vote for the least of the evil. None are good choices. Both are bad. We are so deep in trouble.

GrumpyGus 6 months, 2 weeks ago

No electioneering on this OpEd.

Go vote or you don't ge to come back on here tomorrow and gripe (from either side).

asb 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Voting is not mandatory. Not voting is nuts.

newone 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Our votes here in Missouri do not make one bit of difference in the Presidential race.

RobHunterJohnson 6 months, 2 weeks ago

I will still VOTE and so should you all! Rob

newone 6 months, 2 weeks ago

I voted but only because I wanted to vote for other things.

eileen10 6 months, 2 weeks ago

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm glued to the computer and tv waiting for the results to start pouring in. Have a full pot of coffee, pack of cancer sticks and a dog that won't shutup. Not my dog. A neighbors dog. People from around the world are eye balling us. So whose going to win the election? Don't know. Anybody have ESP?

JCLifer 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Our country is full of really stupid people. I think I know who is going to win.

asb 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Neither statement is true.

eileen10 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Is it whose or who's?

Sequoia 6 months, 2 weeks ago

who's (who is) ;)

eileen10 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Thank you! I have the blank mind thing once in awhile.

JCLifer 6 months, 2 weeks ago

whom

eileen10 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Having a senior moment.

Paroquet 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Here's what I REALLY want to understand; WHY did the NT endorse Romney? Not that I give a hooey or will it influence my choosing, I just want to know why the local rag suddenly pulled it's head out and said "we like this guy, as a collective, and you should too".

Yo! NT? Not all of your readers are short-bus mouth-breathing seat-warmers. Where the blazes did the last minute endorsement come from? And how much did the NT contribute to either, or, and any campaign voted upon this election day?

Are you transparent, or not?

spelchek 6 months, 2 weeks ago

"Not all of your readers are short-bus mouth-breathing seat-warmers" -- How very elitist of you. You must be very proud of your brain. Is this an example of the liberal intellectualism I read so much about on the short bus? How do you consider yourself tolerant and compassionate all the while throwing the disabled under the "short bus". Hypocrite.

Paroquet 6 months, 2 weeks ago

-Snicker-

I paid good money for most of the stuff in my brain.
So, "liberal intellectualism" is it? Have you seen the movie "Idiocracy"? If not, do so. Hopefully it's not so high-brow as to pass you over.

Lessee, I have guns, am an ordained minister, run a trap line regularly, fish as I can, don't like others poking their nose into my business, know what plants are good for what.

Yep. I'm pretty liberal with my intellect. Ain't got spit in sociology or psych, however. Got better grades in Chinese than I did English.

Do you have a problem with smart people?

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