I’d like to take a minute to encourage people to vote.

Many people will say that their vote is only one vote and won’t make a difference. Well, here in Maine we know that one flake of snow doesn’t have much impact either. But many millions of them together will determine how we’re going to live our day. So, people should add their vote to the millions of others to help determine how they will live the next four years and beyond.

Many people will say that the candidates are basically all the same, and so what’s the point of voting. Well, sometimes that’s true, but certainly in this election cycle we have candidates who are very different in experience, ability, temperament and personal vision of our country. It is important to take time to really understand those differences and vote for the candidate who will be best suited to lead our government.

Many people have said in past elections that those elections were “the most important election in our lifetime (or in our history).” Well, in this election I would say that is certainly true. The outcome of this election will determine not only who occupies political offices but how our government will be transformed for a number of years that will far exceed their terms of office.

People should be sure they are registered to vote, understand the choices to be made, and take the time to vote on Nov. 5.

Michael Webber, Strong