Every Election Day, registrars and their deputies, election officers and countless other volunteers in Western Tidewater rise well before dawn to begin their participation in the sacred duty of voting. From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., they confirm voters’ identities, answer questions and keep the line moving with courtesy and efficiency.

As we noted in the editorial this past weekend, no one ever said democracy was going to be a picnic, but it surpasses anything else in this world.

Year after year, the women and men who give of their time and energy do their best to make the act of voting less as a chore as possible. This way, you the voter feel you are truly doing your part as an American.

We can’t shower the volunteers and other workers with costly gifts or cash, so only our sincere thanks must suffice for the time being. We should add, though, that city and county residents could seriously consider stepping up with offers to assist in future elections.

True, you’ll lose a little sleep, but only for a day. That’s a very small price to pay for actively being a part in the democratic process.