Ready for the elections

The 2012 election season is already underway. The presidential election is entering its defining stretch, just like several state elections in new districts and about a dozen major ballot initiatives.

California’s citizens have until October 22 to register to vote. There is not much time left to go through the legal process and become informed in order to be able to vote conscientiously next November.

This is a special election day because, for example, California this year has a new district map and a brand-new open primary election system. As a result, several districts in the California Legislature will have two candidates from the same party.

As far as ballot initiatives, California’s immediate future is literally at stake. Propositions 30 and 38 ask voters to raise taxes in order-to a different extent-to avoid continuing the draconian tax cuts that are hurting education and the state’s social safety net.

In addition to these two initiatives, there are others that address car insurance, political contributions, food labeling, criminal sentences and the death penalty.

We have repeatedly criticized the fact that voters have to consider complex proposals-with an avalanche of deceitful ads paid by special interests-on issues the Legislature is incapable of deciding.

But that is how our democracy is and we must prepare to make decisions.

Finally, there is the presidential election, which usually attracts the most attention. This year, the strategies of Democrats and Republicans seem more focused on turning out their supporters to vote than in winning over new voters.

That is why the level of voter turnout will become essential for the results. In 2008, more Democrats voted and Obama won, while in 2010, more Republicans voted, enabling the GOP to win the House of Representatives.

We must prepare, because democracy demands that those who are able to vote participate. Later, there is no point in complaining if you didn’t make your voice heard when you had the chance.