It's time to start paying attention to candidates

Political yard signs are popping up like mushrooms in an over watered lawn. It's a harbinger of the upcoming primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

The price of admission, of course, is to be a registered voter. The cutoff to register for the primary election is July 12 at DMV or with a roving deputy registrar. July 22 is the registration cut off in person at the clerk's office with ID and evidence of where you live, according to Carson City Clerk Recorder Alan Glover.

Often primary elections exclude non-partisans " those people who choose not to affiliate with the Republican or Democratic Party. However, the majority of offices in this primary election are non partisan; all voters get to pick their favorites. This includes several judgeships, Carson City mayor, board of supervisors, and state board of education representative. Only Republican Congressman Dean Heller faces a challenger in his party's primary.

Generally primary elections inspire a ho-hum turnout, but there's good reason to pay attention this year. Candidates in uncontested races, such as Jim Lemaire for School Board District 2, are elected in the primary. Even more significant is that races can be won in the primary if the winner amasses 50 percent plus one vote. In these close, split races, every vote matters.

It's probably too dramatic to say that the future of Carson City hangs in the balance ... but what the heck. There are six candidates for mayor, none of whom have been on the board of supervisors before: Bob Crowell, Pete Hansell, Ken Haskins, Sean Lehmann, Steve McClung, and Jim Shirk. The mayor sets the tone for the city and its employees, provides leadership and vision, works with state government, chairs the board of supervisors and is the capital city's ambassador.

The other hotly contested race is for the board of supervisors seat held by incumbent Richard Staub. He's being challenged by four Ward 4 residents, including Jean Bondiett, Paul McGrath, Andy Salm and Molly Walt.

Listen to the rhetoric in both races regarding the future of downtown, redevelopment, the V&T tax, public safety tax, gangs, city finances and the need for a new library.

Electing judges is the American way. In Nevada, the effect is blunted by the non partisan nature of the race. Judges in theory answer to the people, not the party. For district court, the attorney must have practiced for 10 years. This year, both district court judges for District 1 are up for election. Incumbent Todd Russell is running unopposed for Department 1, and will be elected in the primary. The Department 2 vacancy is being sought by Caren Jenkins, Mark Krueger, Noel Waters, and Jim Wilson.

How to judge judges? Caren Jenkins' campaign Web site cites the state standards for judicial selection developed by the American Bar Association. Consider experience, integrity, professional competence, service to the law and judicial temperament. That last one is essential to me: compassion, equal justice, and resisting the inherent bias that comes with working on a daily basis with the prosecutor and law enforcement.

During the general election campaign season, campaign debates and forums are almost a nightly sporting event. But it is trickier to prepare for a primary race because there are fewer debates. Carson Access TV recently taped a candidate forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. It is viewable on cable community access TV, and available for online viewing at www.acctv.org.

Early voting begins July 26 at the Clerk's office, says Alan Glover. The Clerk's office will mail a sample ballot prior to the election that notifies voters of their polling place. Glover says some things have changed. At the polling place, voters will sign in based on last name rather than precinct. Precincts that used to vote at the Carson Mall will now ballot at Fuji Park. For more information, go to the Carson City Elections Web site: www.carson-city.nv.us/Index.aspx?page=90 or start with Carson City's Web site and follow the trail to Elections via the Clerk-Recorder's office.

The number of candidates and contested races is an indication that people in Carson City care about the future of our community. Now it's up to voters to do our part by learning about the candidates and voting in Carson City's primary election.

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Abby Johnson is a resident of Carson City, and a part-time resident of Baker, Nev. She consults on community development and nuclear waste issues. Her opinions are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her clients.

Watch for in-depth coverage of the candidates in the July 26 edition of the Appeal.