Getting ready to vote

Another election season – year – is underway. Ballots are in the mail for the Aug. 2 primary. Your best ballot casting options are the county drop boxes at the La Conner Regional Library on Morris Street and on the Swinomish Reservation at their social services building.

Please vote. You are what democracy looks like. For that reason the Weekly News is once again endorsing you, citizens of greater La Conner, this election.

Your most crucial votes are the statewide offices of secretary of state, U.S Senator and the 2nd Congressional District seat, which offers 10 choices. These are contested races offering you the opportunity to vote your beliefs and hopes affecting the federal and state governments.

Alas, because there are only two candidates who automatically go to the November ballot, there are no choices for the two district 10 legislative seats and the country offices. Once the candidates cast their ballots they advance to the November election, since additional citizens did not chose to enter those races. The same is true for most county positions, with the district judgeships and several county offices uncontested. That is sad and too bad for democracy.

Greater La Conner voters need to undertake their role with the hand which they have been dealt. A starting point is the candidates voting guide compiled from the secretary of state's office. The most valuable lines in every candidate's summary is their contact information. Use that to get more information from their social media pages.

You help yourself most by calling candidates and speaking to them.

Engage them in conversation and share your genuine concerns and demand their sincere responses. The candidates need to convince you that they are the ones whose boxes on the ballot you need to fill. The election is not about parties or advertising. The candidates are not selling soap, as people used to say in the old days. The future of your democracy is at stake with every box you darken.

As Jim Airy pointed out last year when a town council seat opened, it is critical to start with a reality check. Ask candidates if they are vaccinated and what they are advocating in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Ask them for their response to the congressional hearings on the Jan. 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol and prosecuting former President Trump. Knowing candidates’ positions on these two critical challenges will reveal their willingness and ability to handle every other issue that comes before them as elected representatives.

The state voters guide for all elections and candidates is accessed at voter.votewa.gov.

The 10 candidates wanting your vote for the 2nd Congressional District are in a forum recorded at lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org.

The Legislative District 10 forums, with Clyde Shavers and Greg Gilday running for Position 1 and Karen Lesetmoe and Dave Paul vying for Position 2, can be seen at lwvwhidbey.org.

Thursday, July 14, 6:30 p.m. is the live stream of the candidates for secretary of state: Bob Hagglund, Marguez Tiggs, Tamborine Borrelli, Steve Hobbs, Keith Waggoner, Mark Miloscia, Julie Anderson. Watch at tvw.org/video/league-of-women-voters-secretary-of-state-candi-date-forum-2022071008/?even-tID=2022071008.

Your ballot is coming to your mailbox. Not registered? Register online by July 25. Registering in-person, updating your registration and voting can be done at the Skagit County election office till 8 p.m. Aug. 2, when the polls close.

Wait to vote until you are sure about the choices you make, but be sure to vote.