We are now at the end of a long political season. With all the campaign literature, yard signs, ads, phone calls and debates, it feels like the elections are all about the candidates. It may feel like that, but I believe that the reality is quite different.

Elections are about our right to choose what we want for our country and communities and the freedom to exercise that choice by casting a vote. Candidates and elected officials are only the temporary representatives of a government that is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” The struggles over the right to vote have never been about the candidates but, rather, about the right to choose what laws we will be governed by and what future we will pursue.

On Tuesday, we should all exercise our right to vote. I believe that every vote counts and each person’s choice matters. Voting and participating in the governmental process is what our constitution is based on. I would encourage us all to remember that the true winners on Tuesday are not the candidates but, rather, “we, the people.”

Ellen Kehr

candidate for Ward 3 City Council

Albert Lea