Whether you agreed with the process or not, last week’s dramatic Supreme Court confirmation hearing had to impress on everyone the importance of voting.

With razor-thin margins in both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate, and the rancorous political climate in Washington and beyond, the bromide that every vote counts is truer than ever. 

Representative government can’t be taken for granted. Casting a ballot at every opportunity is the best way to make sure your voice is heard in Washington, state capitals, cities, school boards, fire districts and other jurisdictions.

So as next month’s midterm elections approach, it’s important to make sure you are registered to vote, then exercise the privilege that too many Americans take for granted.

Among the organizations that are emphasizing that importance are the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and many individual congregations. The campaign puts its goal this way:

“As we work together to fulfill the sacred mandate of tikkun olam, world repair, nonpartisan civic engagement in service of our enduring values is an essential way that we stay active in our communities.”

With toolkits, pledge cards, contact strategy and other tactics, the action center stresses one central theme: If you seek change, you have to do your part and cast your ballot.

Compared with the misguided efforts to allow campaigning from the pulpit for individual candidates, this kind of nonpartisan civic campaign is the right way for congregations to get involved in government. It doesn’t provide a conduit for political contributions to be funneled through tax-exempt entities. It simply educates and encourages voters about how they can make their values and their voices heard.

Election Day is Nov. 6. From now until then, learn all you can about the candidates and issues that will be on the ballot. But first, make sure you are registered, and all the eligible voters you care about are registered as well. 

In Missouri, the deadline is coming up fast: Oct. 10. In Illinois, the deadline to register online is Oct. 21; you can register by mail up until Oct. 9, or register in person up to Election Day.

They say that if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain about the outcome. No one can take away your right to complain. But think about it this way: If you don’t vote, the other person’s vote counts twice. Don’t give away the most important power you have. 

Register. Vote. And encourage everyone you know to do the same.