Register to vote now

If all the rhetoric is to be believed, Nov. 2 will represent one of the most pivotal elections in the history of the country. While the candidates stir the pot and grapple over the issues, the election itself cannot be trivialized. Vote for whom you like, but just vote.

Besides Nov. 2, Oct. 18 is the most important date to remember. It’s the last day to register to vote. The issue is not which party has more registered voters and who the likely voters are projected to be; the real numbers to watch are voter turnout and who has the most votes at the end of the day. A bigger voter turnout means more voices have been heard and democracy is being fulfilled.

You needn’t be told what’s at stake in the presidential election—war, economy, jobs, etc. But be advised there are many local races that are equally, if not more important to your qualify of life.

City council races in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Moorpark will deal with issues of growth, development, traffic and congestion. In Oak Park, even the underappreciated and often ignored Municipal Advisory Council has drawn substantial candidate interest.

Critics say that even though our schools are underbudgeted, the local school boards haven’t done enough to trim the fat. The Conejo and Simi Valley unified school districts will be called out on the carpet as several of their incumbents face reelection.

And on the heels of the recent complaint that the L.A. Department of Water and Power is spending too much money on public relations frills, isn’t it about time that the two local water agencies, Calleguas and Triunfo, come under the microscope with thought-provoking, multiple-candidate races? Unfortunately, the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District candidates are running unopposed.

There will also be voting for the State Assembly and U.S. Congressional districts in our area.

So remember, only 40 days until the election and 25 days until the voter registration deadline. Oct. 26 is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot.

If you’re not on the rolls, complete and return the voter registration form that can be found at most county buildings, post offices, city halls, libraries and fire stations.

Online voter registration is even easier. Just visit the Secretary of State website at www.ss.ca.gov/elections/votereg1.html. Additional L.A. County information can be found at http://regrec.co.la.ca.us/voter/faqs.htm.

Ventura County residents can visit www.ventura.org/election/elecidx.htm.

Exercise your most precious right as an American citizen. Be a voter.