Yes, we have constitutional and statutory restraints on the majority imposing its will on the minority. But after watching 30 years of Republican rule in the statehouse, I can say that the state governmental system has been bent to accommodate Republicans. Would a private-school system, partly funded by tax dollars, be bent to accommodate Mormons?

Vouchers should stand or fall on their own merits.

And GOP leaders — both Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Republican lawmakers — say they will abide by the will of the voters as reflected Tuesday.

But knowing lawmakers as I do, I find it hard to believe that vouchers will not find their way back into the Legislature in some form — if not the broad-ranging law reflected in HB148, then perhaps a special tuition-assistance program in some smaller iteration.

When you have been making decisions for someone else for a long time, whether that is a much beloved child growing into adulthood or constituents who are too busy with their regular lives to run government hands-on, you tend to believe you know what is best.

And you may resent it when those under you stand up and speak for themselves.

We'll see how Huntsman and GOP legislators react if citizens reject vouchers on Tuesday.

• Now, here are my picks in Tuesday's elections:

I see Ralph Becker as Salt Lake City's next mayor. He's the Democrat in the race, and city voters haven't elected a Republican in more than 30 years. GOP candidate Dave Buhler is a fine man, as is Becker. But the political odds were just stacked too much against Buhler. If this plays out as I see it, this would be Buhler's second loss in a mayoral final, and I don't see him seeking the post again.

And I see private school vouchers going down in defeat, perhaps in a very close vote.

In any case, make sure you get out and vote — a lot really is riding on your participation.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com