DN Editorial: GET OUT & VOTE

WE WOULD never say that it doesn't matter whom or what you vote for - in fact, our picks for president and city referendum questions are below - but this year, it could also matter how quickly you vote.

Because a controversial Pennsylvania voter-ID law was blocked in court, most voters on Tuesday do NOT need to have photo identification to cast their ballots, although everyone will be asked for one. But there is much confusion over this, and that could lead to delays in the voting line, so be prepared. If you're bringing your photo ID, have it handy to show. (If you're voting for the first time in your polling place, you need to show identification, but it does not have to be a photo ID. It can be one of several IDs that show your name and address. For details, go to the website of the Committee of Seventy, seventy.org, and click on the yellow photo ID flier.)

If there are delays at your polling place, be patient and wait it out. While you're waiting, you can remind yourself of how many people around the world would give anything to stand in line to exercise their free choice in a democracy.

Meanwhile, for your vote, we have endorsed PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

Leading the list of Obama's achievements is the Affordable Care Act, which will provide coverage for millions of Americans. In addition, his actions during the economic crisis that began with the financial and banking collapse included a plan that allowed GM and Chrysler to keep running and restructure and that has returned them to profitability.

It also included the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that plowed money into cities and states and funded "shovel-ready" infrastructure improvements. In the process, the private sector stopped hemorrhaging jobs and started creating them.

Under his watch, the war in Iraq essentially ended, and combat troops came home. And Obama made the call to go after Osama bin Laden in his hideout in Pakistan.

Obama has proved that government does play a role in improving people's lives.

Philadelphia voters will confront four questions on the ballot. Here are our recommendations:

1. Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to allow for the establishment of an independent rate-making body for fixing and regulating water and sewer rates . . . ?

Vote: No

2. Shall the Charter be amended to authorize requirements for additional information to be submitted with the annual operating budget, annual capital budget, and capital program . . . ?

Vote: Yes

3. Should the Charter - which allows for a preference in the civil service regulations for the children of Philadelphia firefighters or police officers who were killed or who died in the line of duty - be amended to further allow for a preference for the grandchildren of such firefighters or police officers?

Vote: Yes

4. Should the city of Philadelphia borrow $123,670,000 to be spent for and toward capital purposes. . . ?

Vote: Yes