Sri Lanka, Nov. 21 -- This weekend, Hong Kongers will head to the ballot box for the first time since mass protests erupted this summer. More than a thousand candidates will contest 452 district council seats in the city's only fully democratic election on November 24.

Or rather, they may. Chief Executive Carrie Lam has already made noises about canceling the elections, as the city slips further into fire-strewn chaos. But that would be a deadly mistake-at a time when Hong Kongers are determined to have their voices heard, denying them this chance would only further curdle the government's already sour reputation. The outcome of the vote will probably not favour the government-but canceling it would be far more destructive than even a sw...