Today, and for the fourth time this year, Mississippians are headed to the polls.
Throughout the state, voters will choose between Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mike Espy for U.S. Senate while some voters in the Golden Triangle will selected chancery court judges.
Today’s runoff elections cap a long election season. While turnout for the June primaries were embarrassingly low, the Nov. 6 general election produced high turnouts and there is some optimism that today’s runoff will again feature strong turnout.
We certainly hope that’s the case and urge all registered voters to take the time to vote. Given what is at stake, voting is a very small sacrifice of time and energy. This is your chance to voice your opinion on a way that really matters.
Many things that are repeated become habits and there are few better habits to acquire than playing an active role in our government through the simple act of voting. Election after election, turnout among older voters is the highest of all demographic groups, which strongly suggests that voting may indeed be habit-forming.
Whether it’s a local, state or national election, every election is important and worth the time and trouble it takes to vote.
So if you haven’t voted, be sure to make it out to the polls before they close at 7 tonight.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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