Be informed, active this election year

A first good up-close look at a handful of candidates for governor gave some local momentum to the campaign season last night. Those who turned out for the Mat-Su Republican Women's Club debate at Evangelo's got to hear all five of the party's gubernatorial hopefuls square off in an uncommonly lively debate.

The club's selected format - audience-supplied questions drawn at random, and a segment where candidates were allowed to engage each other - was a nice departure from the &#8220softball” affairs typical of the luncheon forums. For the unaware, the event delineated some of the contrasts in candidates' style and philosophy.

Those differences should serve as another reminder of all that is at stake for Alaskans in the coming elections. With such big-ticket items as oil industry tax reform and a gas pipeline still on the table, and so many candidates desiring to set the state's course, voters have a lot to think about.

In many ways, Alaskans are approaching the most significant crossroads since statehood. So it is no stretch to say our future is at stake.

The first step in determining the ultimate winner in the gubernatorial contest comes Aug. 22, when the field of five Republicans and three Democrats vying for their party's nominations will be winnowed to a single candidate from each party. These two will advance to the big dance - the Nov. 7 general election - where they will square off against each other and six other candidates.

Residents who are not registered to vote have until July 23 - a Sunday - to do so. The new Division of Elections regional office, in the North Fork Professional Building on Bogard Road in Wasilla, will keep weekend hours on that day and July 22 to accommodate last-minute registration.

The office is open during regular business hours, too. As are all the usual registration places - the borough clerk's office and city clerk offices in Houston, Palmer and Wasilla.

The July 23 deadline is also significant for another reason. Since Republicans have opted for a &#8220closed” primary, only party members and voters registered as either &#8220undeclared” or &#8220nonpartisan” will be able to choose the Republican ballot on Aug. 22. So anyone else desiring to support a Republican has until July 23 to make the necessary updates in an existing voter

registration.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. Its robust health is thoroughly dependent on active and informed individual voters. It is our hope that the people of the Valley will do their part to preserve the vitality of our democratic system of government by participating in this year's elections.