Tuesday is primary election day in Wyoming. While we don’t vote for a presidential nominee at this time (that’s been decided) there are plenty of important races on which to cast your ballot.

The race for the U.S. House seat is wide open with Rep. Cynthia Lummis stepping down.

Also wide open are State Senate District 20 and State House District 26 with Gerry Geis and Elaine Harvey, respectively, retiring at the end of the terms this year.

At the county level, with Jerry Ewen and Bill Basse stepping down from their commissioner seats in Big Horn and Hot Springs County, respectively, the race is wide open for those seats.

Here in Washakie County, incumbent Aaron Anderson seeks another term and is challenged by Chris Godfrey.

With Worland Mayor Dave Duffy not seeking re-election, the race for Worland’s next mayor is wide open with five candidates seeking the two spots to advance to the general election in November.

There are considerable differences amongst the candidates in every race on the ballot. It’s important for you to take the time to be an informed voter. Don’t vote for prettiest, the handsomest, the most well-known, the one who raises the most money or spends the most money, the nicest.

Vote for who you believe will do the best job for your town, county, state and country. Vote for who you want, not who your spouse wants you to, your parents want you to, your brother or sister or friend.

When you go in and vote Tuesday, it’s a secret ballot. No one needs to know who you voted for. It’s up to you if you tell people which candidate you supported. Just make sure you cast an informed vote.

The Daily News published a primary election section in last Tuesday’s edition to help you do just that. There have been several forums as well to meet the candidates and visit with them. I hope you took advantage of these opportunities.

Most importantly, however, come Tuesday, get out and vote. You have a right and privilege in this country to vote. If you’re not registered, you can register at the polls. I have always been of the mind, and some disagree with me, that if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain about who is in office. Every vote does count.

Even on uncontested races, if you write-in someone, or don’t cast a vote, that signals to that candidate that not everyone is pleased with his/her views or in the case of an incumbent, it lets them know you aren’t pleased with how they’ve been doing.

But not even going to the polls let’s everyone know you don’t really care. These races Tuesday matter. These are the leaders who potentially will be shaping the future of our city, county, state and country. Your vote matters.

I’ll see you at the polls Tuesday.