A record number of voters took part in the democratic process yesterday. Voters turned out in large numbers across Alabama and across the nation.

That is how the system works best, when there is a larger representation of the voting public making their wishes known through the ballot.

We thank everyone who took part in yesterday’s election for helping provide a good representation of what the people want. Regardless of the outcome, there can be no mistaking the wishes of the people when so many make those wishes known.

In general, about 40 to 45 percent of registered voters take part in elections.

Consider a classroom of 30 students that wants to elect a president. Let’s say that only 12 people take part in the election (40 percent), and whoever is elected wins by a margin of 8-to-4. That means that only 27 percent of the class decided who was president, and the 18 students who didn’t vote are either unhappy with who is elected or just apathetic as to the election’s turnout. Either way, those 18 students don’t have much of a leg to stand on if that president does things that they don’t like.

When you take part in an election, you are enforcing your right to take part in the democratic process. Whether or not your candidate won, you can say that you either voted in your candidate or tried to vote in a better candidate.

Thanks to everyone who took part in yesterday’s election. You helped the democratic process work.