Review editorial
July 9, 2008
By Staff
Summertime is now time to vote
Summer is a great time to relax, but in just a few short weeks, voters will need to get back to business and prepare for the Aug. 19 primary election. Last year, the state kicked its long-standing September primary to the curb for its first August election. What that means is absentee ballots will be in the mail beginning July 30.
Voters need to keep in mind that among local and state elections, primaries are extremely important. Many of the most important decisions affecting county and state government will be made during the dog days of summer.
The election winnows the field among candidates and sets the stage for the November general election ballot.
The state Supreme Court races are often decided in the primary.
Other critical primary decisions will be made in races for governor, superintendent of public instruction, state lands commissioner and more.
Everyone should consider a candidate forum on their list of summer activities, and add the primary voters pamphlet to the list of good summer reads. To get a jumpstart, the elections department has a copy of the primary ballot on its Web site.
Residents who aren’t yet registered have even less time to get involved. Register online or by mail by July 17 to vote in the August primary.
Or sign up in person time by Aug. 4 at the King County Elections Office in Renton. Forms are online at www.metrokc.gov.
Historically, voter turnout has been a national disgrace, although record numbers turned out for Presidential Primaries across the nation earlier this year.
The average election turnout in presidential elections barely tops 50 percent. School levy elections and primaries have even fewer voters. Your vote does matter.
So, pack the voters pamphlet along with the sunscreen as you hit the beaches and parks this month.
Embrace democracy by becoming a 1) registered and 2) informed voter, and then be sure to vote.
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