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It's a right we earned and created for ourselves. It's a privilege that makes our country strong. It's our patriotic duty.

It's called voting, and we have the chance to exercise our civic responsibility in the primary election Tuesday.

Statistics show Moffat County has a track record of turning out for the primary races, which are historically contests pitting Republican against Republican.

In the 2002 primary, Moffat County's turnout was double that of statewide numbers, drawing 25 percent of registered voters.

We think that's something to be proud of.

All elections are important, not purely for the sake of voting in our candidate of choice, but also for the practice of our democratic process.

For Moffat County residents to boast that high a participation in primaries certainly is an accomplishment. We hope just as many community members turn out -- if not more -- on Tuesday, especially in light of this election's importance.

Tuesday's election will narrow the sheriff's race to one Republican candidate, who will face an independent in November's general election.

It will also determine which of the three Republican commissioner candidates will advance to the general election.

In a county that rarely has a Democratic opponent, the primary is a critical tool in the process. It may very well decide who assumes the role of our next county policy maker.

But a win in the primary isn't a guarantee.

Those who wish to be included as a write-in candidate in November still have time. The deadline for any registered voter to be considered, via an affidavit through the Clerk and Recorder's Office, is Aug. 29.

We encourage voters of any party affiliation to exercise their right to the election process by entering the race as a write-in.

There's still time to practice our right to contest, debate and public opinion.

We have strong candidates up for office this season, but that's not to say the race is over.

Get to the polls Tuesday and cast your vote.

And when that's over, get ready to do the same in November.