Now that the election results are in, it is time to look to the future, not reflect on the past.

The divisions that evolved during the just-completed campaigns should be left behind. It’s what lies ahead that really matters.

Only through understanding, thoughtfulness, respect and compromise will future challenges be met. Clinging to old animosities — on whatever level of government — just inhibits progress.

And, that lack of progress soon looks like irresponsibility — irresponsibility that, unfortunately, is so often evident on the state and national fronts.

It must be remembered that the winners in Tuesday’s municipal balloting are the leaders closest to the people. They will be making decisions that will more directly impact the people in their county, communities and school districts than what occurs in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.

With that in mind, it must be remembered that voters’ tasks and responsibilities didn’t end with their election decisions on Tuesday. In fact, the election was only the beginning. People must now pay attention — pay attention to what happens or does not happen in the future.

No one can be supportive of every decision their elected officials make. The important thing to consider will be the impact of whatever decisions are made — whether they produce good or bad results.

Public input along the way is never bad, if it is offered with good intentions. Those newly elected and those whose seats were not up for election on Tuesday should welcome the opportunity for discourse with the public — and, when difficult decisions are ahead, should go out of their way to gain insight into what the people in their communities and school districts are thinking.

That not only can help in the decision-making process but also can produce a greater spirit of harmony in the workings that those elected will encounter during their terms of office.

Tuesday was an exercise of civic responsibility and dedication to the health of the nation. While people reflect on Tuesday’s results, they also should begin paying more attention to what is being said on the state and national fronts, since the 2012 elections will involve the election of a president, state and congressional officeholders.

For the voters, the task will be to separate empty campaign rhetoric from what really matters: candidates’ ability and honest determination to do what’s best for the people, not necessarily what’s best for themselves or their political party.

One theme of campaigns here and for offices in Washington, D.C., must be to end the maddeningly unproductive partisanship that has continued to bottle up opportunities for significant strides on many important — indeed, crucial — issues, especially on spending.

With 2011’s elections history, it’s time to look ahead, not backward. It’s time to grab onto the reins of power, with the intent to make the best use of them possible.

Tuesday was not an “off-year” election, no matter how many times that might be said. It was an important exercise of government at its best and the opportunity from living in a free land.