Welcome to the campaign: Participate | In Our Opinion
Published 4:48 pm Thursday, May 24, 2012
They want to make decisions on your behalf. They want to decide how your tax dollars are best spent. And in some cases, the privilege of representing you will come with compensation and full health benefits – better than many of their potential constituents receive.
“They” are the candidates for office in the Aug. 7 primary election.
This election is significant in many ways: We will elect a new governor. We will elect a new member of Congress, in a newly reapportioned district. We will elect a new Superior Court judge; four people are running for the honor. And with the exception of some Central and South Kitsap judgeships, no candidates are unopposed; you have choices to make for state Legislature and County Commission.
All told, North Kitsap residents will vote on 23 federal, state, legislative and local positions this year: U.S. president, U.S. senator, U.S. representative District 6, U.S. representative District 1 (one-month term), governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, superintendent of public instruction, insurance commissioner, District 23 state senator, District 23 state representative 1, District 23 state representative 2, Supreme Court justice positions 2, 8 and 9, Court of Appeals, County Commission District 1, Superior Court judge Court 7, and Public Utility District commissioner.
The top two vote-getters in the primary — regardless of party affiliation — will advance to the Nov. 6 general election.
The Herald will profile candidates in local races, cover candidate forums, and will provide online links to information about all of the candidates. The Herald will endorse candidates in the Aug. 7 and Nov. 6 elections, and the Herald’s Community Advisory Board is participating in candidate interviews.
We welcome letters to the editor regarding candidates and the issues. To allow for as many views as possible to be published in print, keep your letter to our word limit of 350. Include name, address and telephone number for verification purposes. Form letters and unsigned letters will not be published. All letters and stories will be posted on NorthKitsapHerald.com.
Register online, up to 29 days before the election, at https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/en/Pages/myvote.aspx; or mail in a registration form, available at city halls, fire stations, libraries, schools, and most state and federal agencies. New residents and first-time voters may register in person up to eight days before the election at the Kitsap County Auditor Elections Office, 619 Division St., Port Orchard. For more information, call (360) 337-7128 or visit www.kitsapgov.com/aud/elections/votereg.htm.
