Time to learn about candidates

The filing period is over and the races are set for the Aug. 18 primary election.

I would be remiss if I did not take a moment first to thank all of the candidates who are stepping up and willing to serve. Thank you, without them the democratic process would not work.

The second most important people for the democratic process is you, the voter.

There is plenty of time for voters to register and you can register at the polls. Absentee ballot voting will begin on July 21. With that schedule in mind, the Northern Wyoming News strives to help our readers be informed voters and we will be profiling local, state and federal races over the next several weeks, starting June 18 with the Legislature.

We will be highlighting our local candidates who are unopposed, such as Clerk of District Court Mirian Hansen this week, and we have profiled Sheriff Austin Brookwell and County Attorney Anthony Barton in previous issues.

While the two candidates for House District 27 — Republican Martha Lawley and Democrat Theresa Livingston — are unopposed for their respective party’s nomination, we will still be providing profiles.

We will also profile House District 28 candidates the same week.

These profiles are based on a questionnaire that we send to each candidate, tailored to their specific race. This allows the voters to compare answers to identical questions.

Following the Legislature will be the governor’s race, secretary of state, state treasurer and superintendent of public instruction, city council, commissioners, U.S. House and finally U.S. Senate.

We like to start early for those who will be voting absentee and ensuring the most local races will be profiled by the start of the absentee ballot voting period.

Voters will be selecting leaders for our city, county, state and our country. It is important that we not make the voting a popularity contest but vote for the person you believe will do the best for the community, state and country.

Examine a candidate's motive for running and consider if candidates have a hidden or not-so-hidden agenda, or if they will have the best interest of the city, county, state or country in mind while serving.

Pay attention to whether candidates tell you what they believe and what they plan to accomplish, or whether they spend their time attacking previous administrations or their opponents.

What kind of person do you want representing you in office — someone focused on serving and working toward achieving specific goals, or someone focused primarily on winning the position at all costs?

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