Editorial: Last-minute checklist for voters

“No matter what, get out Tuesday and vote.”

Poorer advice rarely has been rendered.

You see, those first three words — “No matter what” — are a problem.

The partisan divide is so deep, even studious citizens can’t easily discern the different flavors of Republican and Democratic candidates. 

If you don’t believe that, consider that combatants Donald Trump and Mitt Romney carry Republican credentials. Similarly in their dissimilarities, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tim Walz belong to the same Democratic tribe.

If it ever worked before, voting based strictly on the three-letter affiliations appearing on ballots after candidates’ names sure doesn’t work anymore.

So what to do? How about starting with a little homework? 

There are plenty of sources out there, but the best place to find candidate information on local races is this newspaper’s recently published Voter’s Guide. 

You can find it by going to cdapress.com. Click on the eEdition button at the top of the page, then scroll down to Special Sections. The most comprehensive local guide is waiting there for you.

The most important local contests in many citizens’ view are the three contested seats on North Idaho College’s board of trustees. If video’s your thing, you can dig deeply into the recent candidate forum in which all six NIC trustee competitors participated. Go to cdapress.com and click on Meet the Candidates near the top of the page.

But wait! you exclaim. I’ve been busy with life and didn’t get around to registering. Do I have to sit this election out?

No! we exclaim. You can register at your polling place Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. To find out where you need to go and what you’ll need to bring, visit the Kootenai County Elections website: https://www.kcgov.us/329/Registration-Voting

Whether or not you know it, you’ve been blessed with a superb elections department. If the Kootenai County website isn’t easy for you to navigate, call the elections professionals to get your voter questions answered: 446-1030

Now then, the stage is set. Tuesday, Nov. 5, is Election Day, and you’ve got no excuses to stand on the sidelines.

Or to show up unprepared to cast votes that reflect your values and your preferences.