Nationwide voter turnout for the 2020 general election was an usually high 66.8%. Of course, we all remember what was at stake then, and how much interest there was in the result of that election.

During the general election in 2020, nearly 6 million Ohioans voted. The voter turnout here was 73.99%. That’s an impressive figure, but perhaps not a surprise given the degree to which that election captivated the country. Here in Washington County, voter turnout in 2020 was 75.62% — even more impressive. We must be no less involved this time around.

There is just as much at stake in this year’s general election, and in fact there are local issues that can be decided only by us — and will have greater impact on our daily lives than anything happening in Washington, D.C. You’ve read about them on our news pages, and you’ve seen members of our community express their views on those matters on our opinion pages. We’ve done our best to provide you with the facts on the races and issues so that you can form your own opinion.

But now it is all in your hands. If you have not already voted, your chance to make a difference is Tuesday. All the social media posting in the world won’t matter if you don’t cast a ballot.

“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters,” Abraham Lincoln said in the middle of the 19th Century, when divisions in this country ran as deeply as they ever have.

If you don’t want to be sitting on your blisters, then don’t sit at home on Election Day. Do your research to make an informed choice, grab the proper ID, get to your polling place and fulfill your civic duty. Vote.