In these days of daily polling for positioning and calculating the outcomes of elections, it has been said that the only poll that counts is the one taken on election day.

Alabamians saw proof positive of that this week when Tim James, who was considered a frontrunner for the Republican nomination for governor by many, failed to make the runoff by about 200 votes.

While James and Robert Bentley, who ran second – barely – in the race wait an official recount to move forward to the July election, it’s possible, but not likely, that provisional votes cast on Tuesday could change the outcome.

It’s a subtle reminder to all of us that we should pay attention to the candidates and cast our ballots accordingly.

Too many people died for us to have this right for only 30 percent of the voting population to participate.

The governor’s race reminds us that every vote counts.