Voters will make history today. They will elect either the first African-American president or the oldest president and the first female vice president. So after closing the voting booth curtain, revel in the moment and build suspense. We encourage Concord voters to begin at the bottom of the second ballot, the one that has eight school board candidates running for four seats. Then, start at the bottom of the next ballot by voting in the county races, and save the presidential race for last.

In addition to the sweet satisfaction of gratification delayed, voting this way will make it far less likely that citizens will dope-slap themselves later when they realize that, in their excitement, they forgot there was a second page. It will also guarantee greater participation in races farther down the ballot, contests voters tend to ignore.

Today's election is also the first in modern times that does not allow straight-ticket voting. To vote a straight Republican or Democratic ticket Concord voters will have to fill in 17 separate ovals or, if voting only for Libertarians, five.

We'll set an example and recap the Monitor's candidate endorsements, starting with the Concord School Board. For the one-year term, Clint Cogswell is far and away the best choice. For the other three seats, we recommend Bill Glahn, Paul Halvorsen and Eric Williams.

For Merrimack County attorney, Tom Reid is the better choice.

The Monitor did not weigh in on the many state representative contests but did endorse four state Senate candidates..

For state senator in District 15 - Concord, Hopkinton and Pembroke - Senate President Sylvia Larsen has more than earned another term by assuming a leadership role in state government.

In Senate District 7, voters would be wise to give Sen. Harold Janeway of Webster a second term. We endorse Sen. Kathleen Sgambati of Tilton in District 4 and Democratic challenger Bob Backus of Manchester in District 16, which includes Bow and Dunbarton.

Outgoing County Attorney Dan St. Hilaire would give the capital area a strong voice on the Executive Council. Voters should give him the opportunity to bring local concerns to the table.

In the 2nd District, we strongly endorse Congressman Paul Hodes over his rival Jennifer Horn. Hodes hit the ground running in Congress and quickly came to play a role out of all proportion to his lack of seniority. He will only become more effective in his next term. In the 1st District Carol Shea-Porter is the candidate whose positions on issues are the ones this state and the nation need at this time. She deserves your vote.

For U.S. Senate, the Monitor endorses former governor Jeanne Shaheen over Sen. John Sununu. Once again, though Sununu has taken some courageous positions, particularly on matters that affect civil liberties, his views on tax policy, Social Security and other matters that profoundly effect the economy are not the ones that will get the nation moving again.

For governor, who else but John Lynch, a two-term incumbent who has maintained his incredible popularity despite the declining economy?

Though too slowly for our liking, New Hampshire has progressed under Lynch, an executive who wisely chooses the people who work for him on merit. The recession will make the next two years extremely challenging, but Lynch can be trusted to help the state make it through them with a minimum of pain.

Now, having saved the best race in a generation for last, the Monitor proudly endorses Barack Obama for president. By the end of the day, the whole world could see America in a new and positive light, as a nation that finally lived up to the words of its founding document which say "that all men are created equal."