Tuesday’s primary exemplified the importance and success of our nation’s democratic voting process.

Students showed their support in the best way—not by showing up at candidates’ appearances, but by voting.The wide student turnout at the polls highlights the emphasis on politics that UW-Madison is known for.

The result of the primaries will represent an important turning point in our nation’s history. Depending on which Democratic candidate gets the nomination, there is potential for a first—either a female president or a black president.

That said, students should not lose interest in the race now that the primary and candidate appearances are over.

Voting is only one part of civic engagement, those who voted Tuesday should closely monitor the results of the remaining races and the conduct with which the candidates carry themselves, as an even more important decision looms in the not-so-distant November general election.

We are pleased with the results of the vote as Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., came out victorious.