Online Primary Election Voter's Guide

It's that time again...

The Primary Election will be held on August 6, 2013. If you haven't had a chance to review the Primary Election Voter's Guide, you can visit the link on the Whatcom County Auditor's web page to check out the candidates who are running for local office.

Readers can view a sample ballot by clicking this link.

Or, if you would like to read the Voter's Pamphlet to learn more about the candidates who will appear on the ballot, please click here.

Granted, it's a subdued primary - but low participation in local elections can inadvertently create a lop-sided form of political control in which many of the members of our community are not adequately represented. In other words, if the members of an elected body are too similar, the voice of the people in the local community is likely to be severely distorted or even quashed. 

Even at the national level where voter turnout tends to be relatively high, research indicates that there is a bias that may restrict participation by disadvantaged segments of the population - for example, members of minority populations, low income workers and individuals with a limited education tend to vote and participate less in local, state and federal elections than individuals with family wage jobs and the minimum of a high school diploma. 

In fact, non-participation plays a critical role in creating distortions in public policy that can be difficult to quantify or measure. In a local government that is populated with elected officials that are too similar, lies the very real danger that the elected officials and the policies they adopt will only serve a small segment of the population that the elected officials represent.

So, in the interest of fairness and better government - take a few moments to familiarize yourself with each of the candidates in your local area and don't hesitate to give any of those candidates a call if you have questions about their position on an issue that is important to you. Especially if the candidates are not discussing that issue in public forums or in the press. 

As always, we look forward to receiving your comments and thoughts on local issues. 

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