This weekend, we encouraged every eligible voter to cast an informed ballot.

If our words did not persuade you of the importance of this cherished right, perhaps the words of presidents, great writers and statesmen, drawn from Politico magazine and the websites for Maine’s Department of State, Xavier University and Foundation List, can.

“The effect of (a representative democracy is) to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of the nation…” — James Madison.

“Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free men.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.” — John F. Kennedy

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” — John Quincy Adams.

“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” — John Lewis.

“Our children should learn the general framework of their government and then they should know where they come in contact with the government, where it touches their daily lives and where their influence is exerted on the government. It must not be a distant thing, someone else’s business, but they must see how every cog in the wheel of a democracy is important and bears its share of responsibility for the smooth running of the entire machine.” — Eleanor Roosevelt.

“Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half the time.” — E.B. White.

“This process of election affords a moral certainty that the office of President will seldom fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.” — Alexander Hamilton.

“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world.” — Sharon Salzberg.

“Every citizen of this country should be guaranteed that their vote matters, that their vote is counted, and that in the voting booth, their vote has as much weight as that of any CEO, any member of Congress or any President.” — Barbara Boxer.

“Half the American people never read a newspaper. Half never vote for President — the same half?” — Gore Vidal.

“Our political leaders will know our priorities only if we tell them, again and again, and if those priorities begin to show up in the polls.” — Peggy Noonan.