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Based on what has happened on America's political front over the past two years -- much of that fallout from the previous four or five years or longer -- today's general election balloting is entwined not only with legitimate governmental issues of the day but, rightly or wrongly, also with deep concern and outright fear about the nation's ultimate well-being and survival.
The level of nervousness over what will transpire today, as well as the results that will be forthcoming, is inconsistent with most U.S. elections of the past.
Regarding most past elections, primaries as well as general elections such as today's, registered voters who chose to participate in the voting process were content to cast their ballots, await the conclusion of the vote count and, whether or not they voted for the victorious candidates, were content simply to move on with the rest of their lives.
Not so today.
The prospect that today's balloting results will remain the object of dispute and massive unrest -- indefinitely -- remain very real. Also very real, as well as tragic, is that many Americans, now fearing their safety while at their polling place and not having opted for mail-in voting, if available, might choose to ignore the fact that there is an election and refuse to cast a ballot.
Every election, some registered voters are frustrated with government and politics, causing them not to vote. However, being intimidated by danger that might be lurking at some polling places elsewhere, but not in Blair County, is a new phenomenon here.
Could America's voting be evolving into what exists in some third world countries? The "jury" might offer proof, one way or the other, today.
But this fact remains nonetheless: In a democracy, voting is a civic duty -- a responsibility registered voters should be eager to fulfill without having to be reminded about its importance.
And, it is appropriate to add that healing in this nation's political world will be possible only if politics on all fronts accepts the responsibility to work to make it happen.
A large turnout can indicate healing but, all considered in this era of constant vitriol, be wary about grasping such a conclusion.
Registered voters today should reflect on these words of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt: "Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting."
"Elections belong to the people," said former President Abraham Lincoln.
"We do not have government by the majority," said former President Thomas Jefferson, one of the United States' founding fathers. "We have government by the majority who participate."
And, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis voiced the thought that "the most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen."
Indeed, private citizens, "officials" of this country's most important office, will decide today this country's course for at least the next two years, possibly longer.
However, two years from now they either will rejoice at their vision during the political uneasiness of 2022 or bemoan their lack of good judgment and perception.
For this nation's sake, hopefully they will have much about which to brag and express delight, having remained loyal to their civic duty.