Folks, it’s time to do your job.

Thankfully, it’s an easy job to do.

Next Tuesday is primary election day. It’s where we decide which candidate will represent our parties in the general election in November.

In our heavily-Republican area, it’s tantamount to the general election, since there are almost no contested Democrat races. The few Democrats running will face long odds in November.

The race of highest interest locally is the GOP race for the Sixth Congressional District. Incumbent Spencer Bachus is challenged by three opponents, two of which hail from our area. State Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale is the best known of the three, but Blount County Probate Judge David Standridge of Hayden also figures in the race.

Each candidate has his strengths: Bachus’ experience in the House and his seniority, Beason and his staunch conservatism, and Standridge’s elimination of Blount County’s debt.

Each also has baggage. Bachus is under an ethics investigation on charges that he used information gained through his office to make stock and option trades. Beason is a lightning rod for liberals for his work in getting the state’s controversial immigration law passed, on top of his racial remarks in recorded testimony for the bingo corruption trial. Standridge has no legislative experience.

And by the way, there’s a presidential primary Tuesday, too. For once, Alabama can actually play a role in choosing the nominee.

We won’t to tell you for whom to vote. We think our readers are smart enough to think for themselves.

But we are telling you to do one thing. Go vote. It’s your job.