If you haven’t voted absentee, be sure to get out and vote next week or on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Voting is one of the most important civic duties and rights of a U.S. citizen.

You make a difference by casting your vote whether it’s for national, state or local races. Your vote decides who the people will be to make decisions affecting all of our lives. If you want a change in government, this is a time for your voice as the voter to be heard by casting your ballot.

The Minot Daily News’ Editorial Department staff has spent extensive time working on stories about the state and local races. These well researched stories give you valuable information so please be sure to read them. The stories cover races for the U.S. Senate and House, N.D. governor, superintendent of schools, auditor and Public Service Commission, Districts 4, 6, 38 and 40 and Measures 1-5. The stories began publishing on Monday and conclude today.

Polling locations on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Ward County are the Ward County Administration Building, Minot Municipal Auditorium-Armory, N.D. State Fair Center, Berthold Senior Center, Burlington City Hall, Kenmare Memorial hall, Ryder City Hall, Sawyer City Hall and Surrey City Hall. Ward County residents can vote at any polling location between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Voters must have a valid North Dakota ID. People can update their addresses online with the North Dakota Department of Transportation before they vote.

Those of you who are regular voters should encourage others who don’t vote or no longer have been voting to get out and do so this time.

After your ballot has been cast, the votes have been tallied and those elected have been announced, we urge everyone to keep up to date and participate as frequently as they can in the activities of their local governments.

We urge you to vote on Nov. 5. You will be choosing who leads us in the next few years.