Get out and vote Tuesday, Election Day

It doesn’t matter whether you want Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson, Jill Stein or “Rocky” Roque De La Fuente to be president — if you don’t vote.

If doesn’t matter whether you think Steve Bullock or Greg Gianforte would be best as governor of the state of Montana. It doesn’t matter if you would rather see Stephanie Hess or Jacob Bachmeier in the House, see Frank Smith or Bruce Meyers in the Senate, see Kristen Juras or Dirk Sandefur on the Supreme Court — unless you vote.

One of the greatest things about the United States is every eligible voter has a say in who our elected leaders are. It is a government by the people, for the people. People who don’t use that ability can’t complain about the results.

Anyone who votes can praise their candidate if they win, and complain about the results if their candidate loses. But if they don’t vote, they have nothing about which to complain.

Many people have already cast their ballot absentee, but those who have not need to get to the polls.

While picking who you want to win may be difficult — or may not — the voting process is easy. Virtually no one has an excuse as to why they don’t vote.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. All a registered voter needs is proof of identification — and a current photo ID showing the elector’s name; or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter registration confirmation, government check or other government document showing the elector’s current name and current address works for identification.

Even if you forget your ID you still can vote, requesting and filling out a Polling Place Elector ID form or voting a provisional ballot and providing ID the day after the election or mailing it to the county election office postmarked the day after the election.

Even if you are not registered you have no excuse not to vote. People can register at the county Clerk and Recorder’s Office until noon today and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and vote there.

People who are voting absentee do have to remember one important requirement. Their ballot has to be in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office by 8 p.m. Tuesday or their vote won’t count. Being postmarked by Tuesday does nothing if the ballot isn’t in the office, so people who have not yet returned their absentee ballots should do so in person.

Almost nothing can stop someone from voting — except themselves. If you have an opinion who should represent you in whatever office, get out and vote.