We intentionally write this hours before polls close in Michigan, because our message is the same regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s presidential, congressional, statehouse, and local races: It’s time we move on together.

As Americans.

As Michiganders.

As Northeast Michiganders.

We cannot have a repeat of the violence we saw at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

We must move forward peacefully.

That’s not to say we can’t continue to advocate — passionately advocate — for our positions and policies. The best part of America’s great democracy is the right to peaceably assemble and air grievances about our government to our government.

But “peaceably” is the key word there.

We must recognize that we all are Americans or Michiganders or Northeast Michiganders who each want what we think is best for ourselves, our families, our communities, our state, our nation.

We may differ on the means we think will accomplish those ends, but we should respect one another for sharing the belief that Americans can and should always seek a more perfect union.

This has been a torrential, often violent election season.

Now that it’s over, we must begin to heal.

That begins with conversations, not insults. That begins with questions, not accusations. That begins with listening, not berating.

We must see each other as neighbors once more.

We all must move forward together.