Do your part, people

Today is the last day you can request an absentee ballot, Kootenai County voters. And Friday is the last day you can vote early by going into the Elections Office at 1808 N. Third St. in Coeur d'Alene's midtown.

What's that - you haven't yet registered to vote in next Tuesday's election? Thank goodness, it's not too late for that, either. By Friday at 5 p.m., you should go to the Elections Office and complete the Election Day registration process, which includes photo ID and dated proof that you've lived at your current residence for at least 30 days prior to Tuesday's election. And if you can't do that, show up at your precinct next Tuesday, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Show them your photo ID and dated proof of residency, and you'll be able to cast a primary election ballot. And if none of this makes sense, call the good folks at the Elections Office at 446-1030, and they'll help you out.

Primary elections are secondary in many people's minds because typically, primaries serve only to nominate candidates who then duke it out in the November general election. But around here, a number of races are essentially determined by primary results. That's why we urge all county residents 18 and older to fulfill their responsibilities as a U.S. citizen and participate in this vital democratic process.

Sadly, even registered voters don't show up in great numbers for the primary. In May 2012, barely one in five voted: 14,811 ballots were cast in the county, with 69,803 voters registered. That was the first modern Idaho election in which Republicans "closed" the primary to exclude everyone who isn't registered or officially affiliated with the party, and next Tuesday's election follows the same rules.

Let's do better than the 21 percent turnout two years ago. Please, register to vote, especially you younger adults who might think your vote won't matter. Veteran voters, your challenge is to recruit at least one person to vote. The Press has published detailed profiles on all the local candidates in contested primary races, as well as candidate forums and other political stories. Go to cdapress.com/news/political and study up.