It's finally time to cast our votes

The day that has been so long in coming is finally here: Election Day 2012.

Delaware is not a battleground state, so our region has been spared most of the intense political messaging that has for months blanketed the airwaves in more divided states.

Even so, the candidates at the top of the ticket are so deeply divided, both President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney say what is at stake is the future of our country, and both campaigns forecast doom if their opponent is elected.

Only time will tell if this election proves to be as critically important as the pundits keep insisting.

Yet whatever happens on the national level, this election has special significance for residents of the Cape Region who stand to gain two new voices in the state Legislature.

No matter who wins these local races, Senate District 6 and House District 20 will now represent the people of the Cape Region, giving our region a stronger and growing voice in a state government still dominated by upstate politics.

Bringing new districts to the Cape Region also required shuffling some existing districts, giving a larger voice to constituencies that previously had relatively limited representation.

All of this means that no matter what happens at the top of the ticket, new voices will be heard representing the Cape Region, and some existing voices will now have to pay closer attention to changing constituencies.

All voters have significant choices to make this year, but this is especially true in the Cape Region.

The Cape Gazette made no endorsements of specific candidates; what we endorse this year is carefully considering the candidates, especially at the local level, and then turning out to vote.

We endorse a huge turnout at the polls, with informed citizens taking an active part in determining the direction of our government, nationally and statewide – and most especially in Sussex County.