And now, it's up to you

When you vote, please keep this longstanding truth in mind:

The candidates you favor probably won't be as good as you think, and the candidates you oppose probably won't be as bad.

It's an American tradition to vilify those whose political beliefs lean opposite ours. Even with these allegedly nonpartisan local elections, vitriol is cheaper than Kool-aid and subterfuge on some level is as sure a thing as post-Halloween cavities. But every single person running for office Tuesday has something to offer. The trick is, some have more than others.

In case you missed it, The Press has published numerous stories on the candidates, candidate forums and election-related tales of intrigue. We've also shared a boatload of candidate endorsement letters. You can still study up on who's running for what. Go to cdapress.com and in the search box, type in the name of each candidate you want to research. (If you don't know who's running in your community, look at Thursday's Legals section of your newspaper or contact your city clerk's office.)

The mayoral races in Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene have generated by far the greatest chatter among the electorate, and the City by the Lake features three council races pitting distinctly different visions for the future.

While The Press editorial board is not endorsing individuals in local races, we implore all readers to put your informed vote to work. If you or your children 18 and older haven't yet registered, fear not. You can go to your precinct (call 446-1030 if you don't know where to vote) and, with a proper photo ID and dated proof of residence - a utility bill will do - you can still vote on Tuesday.

Local elections generally bring out pathetic numbers of voters. The problem with that is, a distinct minority will determine the political course of our communities for years to come. The positive, if we can call it that? Because there are relatively few, every single vote really does count - but only if you take the time to cast it.