Decision time

Your ballot should be in your hand or already in the mail back to the county auditor.

The primary election is very important. It narrows many elections down to a pair of candidates left running for office in the general election in November.

Ballots should be mailed by Aug. 18.

In Adams County, many voters must choose between five candidates running to be the state representative for the Ninth legislative district, which includes Othello.

In Grant County, only two of the three candidates for prosecutor continue their campaigns after next week.

Many city elections have more than two candidates.

A Moses Lake City Council position has two challengers facing incumbent Jim Liebrecht.

Soap Lake voters are narrowing the race of three candidates for the school district board.

In Othello, one race has three candidates vying to be the mayor.

Coulee City voters must choose between four mayoral candidates.

Every primary election is important. It helps us choose our leaders.

When we are disillusioned with a government agency, be it a state legislature, prosecutor, city council or school board, we can do three things. One, we can run for election. But holding office is a lot of work and time, and we may not be able to make such a commitment. Two, we can vote for someone else. For voters, this is when we remove unpopular elected officials. Three, we can do nothing.

On the other hand, when a prosecutor, city council or school board member has done well, then we need to take time to vote too. Sitting back, ignoring an election can lead to unwanted change. You might as well have cast your ballot for a challenger you don’t like. If the elected official performed well in your opinion, show them your support with your ballot.

Either way, vote. Every ballot counts.

— Editorial board