Most of our readers will agree, the best thing about Election Day is when it’s over.

That’s a pretty sad statement on the state of our politics, but it’s an accurate one.

At least for a little while, we get a reprieve from the skewed statistics, misleading statements, out-of-context quotes and downright hurtful accusations being spewed from those who claim they want to serve as our representatives in government.

For almost a year, Alabama residents have endured nasty, mean-spirited political, advertising that seems to have reached a new low.

In every coffee shop and barbershop in Shelby County, people can be heard talking about how sick they are of the negative advertising and how glad they will be when they are no longer forced to endure it.

However, the most disturbing fact about negative campaigning is almost every study shows it works. Negative campaign ads deliver votes.

We can’t place the blame for that on our politicians.

The loss of civility in all things political is in large part responsible for the ineffective government in Alabama and our nation.

A return to civility  in politics and other aspects of our lives is a cause worthy of our support.

A vote is a mighty thing and only through it can we change the political environment in Alabama and our country.

The We Say is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.