Plan to vote? Then read this

The season of free advertising for political candidates — otherwise known as candidate endorsement letters to the editor — is under way. As previously noted, we’ll make way for as many of these letters as space permits for the next few weeks. They’ve got to be 275 or fewer words, and publication priority will be given to paying customers — subscribers — over freeloaders.

Hey, that’s fair, don’t you think?

Speaking of subscribers, you folks will receive a Kootenai County Voters Guide with your Press on April 25. The publication had been planned for May 2, but with the May 19 primary election now by mail only, more folks will be voting early. Hence the earlier print deadline.

The publication will focus on local candidates in contested races only. Over Easter weekend, a reader who had received her absentee ballot was mystified that it contained very few names in contested races. Chances are that was not a Republican ballot, because three of the hottest races — sheriff and two county commission seats — feature GOP candidates battling to advance to the November general election.

Candidates who do not respond to Press phone calls and written requests for information will be left out of the Voters Guide and in election articles the newspaper will publish in early May. That seems fair too, doesn’t it? If a candidate isn’t accessible now, how responsive do you think that person would be if serving in an elected position?

The wisdom of Gov. Brad Little and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney is clear in closing polls for the primary election. That’ll keep people safer and, the hope is here, might even lead to more voters participating because getting off work or having to arrange transport to the polls shouldn’t be an obstacle. Besides, lots of people have more time on their hands than they’d planned.

Meanwhile, the newspaper website cdapress.com has loads of info on most of the candidates right now, so you can start your homework even if your absentee ballot hasn’t arrived just yet. Click on Elections 2020 and see for yourself.