Among the many lessons of Virginia’s Election Day races is this: Your vote matters.

Is that stating the obvious? Not to a lot of people – just look at dismal participation rates generally. People tune out for many reasons. Maybe they live in a reliably red or blue state. Maybe gerrymandering discourages them. As Prof. Jesse Richman of Old Dominion University told the Daily Press of Newport News, Va.: “That gives us a safe seat for both parties, and you often end up without any real contest.”

Virginia’s House of Delegates had all 100 seats in play yesterday. Sixty were contested by candidates from the two major parties – the highest rate in some 20 years. Turnout was the highest in 20 years. On Wednesday, five seats were too close to call, with one result separated by just 12 votes. The recount will determine which party has control.

Imagine if you hadn't found time to weigh in.

Skepticism about the US voting process is deepening, as a Monitor series underscored this week. That’s all the more reason to stay involved. There are lofty motives: Many people don’t have the right to vote, and we honor that right when we mark a ballot. There are practical ones: “Small bore” local races can influence our daily lives. And then there’s the one we were reminded of yesterday: Your “small” voice can make a big difference.

Here are our five stories today, which underscore in different ways the power of rethinking common assumptions.