Vote smart on the issues and candidates
With general election ballots set to hit Montana mailboxes this week, make sure your ballpoint pen is up to the task.
The roster of candidates and range of issues is enough to intimidate even the most astute constituent. Are you prepared to vote smart?
A good place to start is the voter guide tucked inside today’s edition of the Inter Lake. Reporters with the University of Montana’s Community News Service offer profiles on candidates in Montana’s statewide races, as well as analysis on the trio of ballot initiatives up for consideration.
For statehouse races, look to the questionnaires that we sent to each of the legislative candidates in Northwest Montana’s districts. Helena hopefuls offered their opinions on a range of issues that will come up in the next session, including housing, taxes and public education. They can be found online at dailyinterlake.com/news/local-elections.
We are disappointed by the Democratic candidates who did not respond, and suggest voters take their lack of initiative as a major red flag.
Each candidate was given ample time to respond, so the “too busy” excuse just doesn’t cut it. If a candidate doesn’t care enough to share their views on the issues through a basic questionnaire, they probably won’t care enough to respond to their constituents’ concerns from the Capitol.
Beyond the questionnaires, we’ve been rolling out more in-depth articles on some of the key races (see today’s front page on the Flathead County commissioner race). We appreciate the time these candidates have offered readers so they can be more informed at the ballot box.
Unfortunately, a few Republicans declined to participate, with one statehouse incumbent telling us he had the election “in the bag,” so what’s the point?
While that may prove to be true, voters should not ignore such irreverent dismissal of the opportunity to engage with the community through a vetted source like the local newspaper.
Serious candidates take their civic duty seriously. Beware of those who don’t.