The votes have been counted — and in some cases — recounted. The poll workers have put up their badges for another few years and the political pundits can now move on to actually contributing to society.

The 2010 election year is thankfully and mercifully over.

And, in the process of electing public servants to a host of offices, the voters in Alabama made history in a number of ways.

The first happened right here in Selma, where a Selma native became the first black woman elected to Congress from the state of Alabama.

Terri Sewell, now an attorney in Birmingham, celebrated with friends, family and supporters at the St. James Hotel Tuesday night in her words “humbled” by the results and the challenges before her.

The second historic event came across Alabama where the Republican party wrested control of the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate for the first time since Reconstruction. For those of you without a firm grasp on Alabama history, this is the first time in 136 years since the GOP held the keys to the Alabama Legislature.

So as we hopefully scurry to pick up the political signs strewn across our highways and quickly put this campaign season behind us, it is important to remember that the election is over.

The results are in, and those who won will now serve in office and now must be held accountable for their actions rather than believed for their promises.

The 2010 election season may be over, but the hard work has just started.