Our primary erection: huge!

Ooops. Typo. Not surprising when it comes to democracy. Even highly educated, smarty pants folks get confused about the timing and purpose of the elections let alone who deserves a vote. The democratic process becomes a rushed, poorly thought out scramble. Boo!

First, here's what you need to know about timing:
Sept. 20 **STATE PRIMARY**
Sept. 30 Primary results certified
Oct. 19 Absentee ballots available
Oct. 24 Voter registration deadline
Nov. 8 **STATE GENERAL ELECTION**
Dec. 1 General results certified

We are already a step behind -- it's too late to register for the Sept. 20 primary but you have plenty of time to make sure things are squared away for Nov. 8.

As for purpose, washingtonvoter.org has a simple summary of the political seasons in our state. Like you probably learned in high school civics, the primary's primary purpose is to establish each party's main candidate in the general election. But don't make the mistake of thinking the Nov. election is the big show and the primary, some skippable warm-up -- in Seattle's city races, especially, it's critical that you put your vote behind the people who think like you. Without you, your kind of candidate can't go on to the general election, of course. But even if you don't back the eventual primary winner, you shape the upcoming race by showcasing what kinds of positions and philosophies will have to be understood and and catered to in order to receive your vote. Think of these primary candidates as the embodiment of how you'd like your city to be run and vote for the smartest, most innovative and progressive of the pack.

If you're looking for ideas, we prefer the Northwest Progressive Institute's endorsements because they represent cross-party thinking with a progressive, liberal core and, frankly, we like an endorsement list with a few surprises. But there are many to choose from.

--j

Tags: uptown, seattle, election, politics