Over the past month The Day has offered its candidate endorsements and recommended votes on ballot questions.

The endorsements are based on an assessment of candidates' positions on the issues, their level of knowledge on policy questions, their backgrounds and experience, and how their stances line up with the districts they will serve if elected.

In its endorsements, The Day also recognizes that political diversity in the legislature can be a strength, forcing legislative moderation. The best legislation often results from compromise.

Granted, it has not worked that way in Washington. But in Hartford, where Democrats now so dominate they can steamroll legislation, equipoise is needed. That too was kept in mind in making the endorsements.

Endorsements are not an attempt to tell people how to vote. They are an opinion with arguments that some will find persuasive, others dissonant. They are one more tool for voters to use in making up their own minds.

The following is a recap of our recommendations. The full text of the endorsements can be found on the Opinion section of www.theday.com and more information about the candidates through theday.com Voter Guide. Whether you agree or disagree, please vote. Here is a summation of our choices.

Democrat Dannel P. Malloy received The Day's endorsement for re-election as governor.

Congressman Joe Courtney, a Democrat, is our endorsed candidate in the 2nd Congressional District.

For statewide offices are choices were George Jepsen for attorney general, Denise Merrill for secretary of the state, Tim Herbst for treasurer and Kevin Lembo for comptroller. Mr. Jepsen, Ms. Merrill and Mr. Lembo are Democrats, Mr. Herbst a Republican.

For state Senate:

In the 19th District, covering the towns of Ledyard, Montville, Norwich, Franklin, Sprague, Lisbon, Marlborough, Hebron, Columbia and Lebanon, our endorsement went to incumbent Democrat Sen. Cathy Osten.

In the 20th District, covering the towns of Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford, our choice was Republican Paul Formica.

In the 33rd District, covering the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook, the Day's pick went to incumbent Republican Sen. Art Linares.

In the 18th Senatorial District, The Day made no endorsement.

For the state House of Representatives:

In the 23rd District, covering the towns of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook, the recommendation went to Democrat Mary Stone.

In the 37th District of Salem and East Lyme, the endorsement went to incumbent Democrat Ed Jutila.

In the 38th District of Waterford and Montville, the endorsement went to Republican Kathleen McCarty.

In the 39th District of New London, the endorsement went to incumbent Democratic Rep. Ernest Hewett.

In the 40th District of Groton and Ledyard, the endorsement went to Republican John F. Scott.

In the 41st District of Groton and New London, the endorsement went to Republican Aundre Bumgardner.

In the 42nd District, covering the towns of Ledyard, Montville and Preston, the endorsement went to incumbent Democratic Rep. Timothy Bowles.

In the 43rd District of Stonington and North Stonington, Democratic incumbent Rep. Diana Urban is unopposed.

In the 46th District of Norwich, the endorsement went to incumbent Democratic Rep. Emmett Riley.

In the 139th District, covering the towns of Montville, Norwich and Bozrah, the endorsement went to incumbent Democratic Rep. Kevin Ryan.

Note that in some towns two or more Senate or House Districts intersect.

On the five questions in New London, including funding for a major school renovation and construction project and several budgetary question, we urge yes votes.

We also urge a yes vote on the question in Norwich that will allow the continued expansion of natural gas mains in that city.