I was surprised, and not in a good way, at how hard it was to educate myself about the candidates and the issues, even here at home with all the time in the world and an internet connection. You’d think the media glut would have made itself more useful, but so much of it just focuses on the presidential contest and ignores smaller local races and issues. I’ll bet I spent an hour just being sure I was exercising my civic duty wisely, and still, information on some races and special ballot issues was nowhere to be found. I left three items blank.

Go, democracy, go! Go democrats! Go republicans! Go greens! Go libertarians! Go independents! I celebrate and honor and salute all who are engaged in the process, regardless of the outcome.