If you want to have a say in which candidates are on the November ballot, get ready to vote.

Polls across Virginia will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, for voters to make their choices in Democratic and Republican primary elections for governor and lieutenant governor.

In Richmond, voters who choose the Democratic primary ballot will select a party nominee in races for city sheriff and treasurer, and in certain House of Delegates races.

A word of caution: Voters cannot cast ballots in both primaries. They must ask for a ballot either for the Democratic primary or the Republican primary.

According to the numbers, many voters typically sit out the primary elections, waiting until November’s general election to turn their attention to politics.

Certainly, national issues have consumed a major share of the public’s focus these days. But depending on the outcome of next Tuesday’s primary, Virginians could find themselves with a Trumpesque candidate and KKK sympathizer on the ballot for governor in November.

On the bright side, Virginians could nominate on the Democratic side a smart and energetic young African-American lawyer for lieutenant governor — the first nominee of color for the state’s No. 2 post since L. Douglas Wilder in 1985.

In keeping with our mission, the Free Press is offering in this issue several articles to educate our readers about the candidates and to motivate our readers to vote.

Our vote is our right. Our vote is our strength.

Vote on Tuesday, June 13.