We were going to begin this editorial with the obligatory ‘The Power of One Vote’ listing.

You know the one we mean, the listing that says things like ‘In 1876, France was changed from a monarchy to a republic by ONE VOTE.’

We have since done a little Internet snooping (and Snopes-ing--thank you, www.snopes.com) and found that most of these One-Vote claims are actually not true. The margin changing LaBelle France to a Republic was wider than one vote--and it was in 1875.

But, bad history aside, we don’t think that’s the point.

Newspapers across the country run these ‘One-Vote Wonders’ to remind people that their vote can be, and often is, powerful. Your one vote is your chance to participate in the government process at its most basic, grass-roots level.

This Saturday, January 19 is the Republican Presidential Primary. Next Saturday, January 26 is the Democratic Presidential Primary.

Republican or Democrat, you have one chance to start the process to see who will be sitting in the Big Chair at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after November. Remember, you can vote in the Republican or the democratic Primary, not both.

It’s your one vote. It’s powerful. Don’t waste it. Use it.

You might not get to change France into a republic with that one vote, but you do get to help shape America, and that’s the real Power of One Vote.