Prepare to vote thoughtfully

With the Nov. 4 general election less than a month away, there's still time to learn more about the candidates and issues found on the ballot.

A sample ballot can now be found online through Grant County's website at http://tinyurl.com/k9852we.

If you think local officials are doing well at running the state and the county, keep them in office.

If you're displeased, vote your conscience and work toward a changing of the guard. And if you're unsure, start your research by reading today's front page story on this week's candidate forum in Moses Lake and the $2.2 million levy for the Quincy Valley Medical Center designed to help pull its hospital out of debt.

Several local candidates attended the forum, including Fourth District congressional candidate Dan Newhouse, Grant PUD commissioner candidates Bob Bernd (incumbent) and Noah Zemke, state Senate hopefuls Judy Warnick and Mohammed Said, state representative candidates Tom Dent and Dani Bolyard, Grant County commission candidates Cindy Carter (incumbent) and Randy Zolman, Grant County prosecutor candidate Garth Dano, Grant County assessor candidates Laure Grammar (incumbent) and Melissa McKnight, Grant County auditor candidates Michele Jaderlund and Jacob Taylor, Grant County treasurer candidates Darryl Pheasant (incumbent) and Casey Cooper, and Grant PUD candidate Larry Schaapman.

For those who missed the forum, another one takes place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Moses Lake Senior Center, 608 E. Third Ave. The event is sponsored by the Republican Women of Grant County.

For newcomers, Grant County is entirely vote by mail. Ballots must be postmarked by midnight on election day.

Monday was the deadline for mail and online voter registrations and transfers, according to the county's website.

From Oct. 15-17, ballots will start arriving in voters' mailboxes.

The courthouse will be open to drop ballots off and use disability voting equipment from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

- Editorial Board