We all know who is running for president, but can you list the candidates running for the position of Benton County commissioner? Could you explain the state initiatives to someone who asked? The League of Women Voters of Benton and Franklin Counties, along with a coalition of community organizations, are sponsoring several candidate and ballot issue forums. Please look for the advertisement in today's Tri-City Herald for details on the remaining forums, or visit the League's website at www.lwf-bf.org. Educate yourself on the issues and listen to what the candidates have to say. Do you have questions for the candidates? Bring them!

State and local elections are extremely important when it comes to our everyday lives. In our state, 70.6 percent of eligible voters are registered to vote. But here's the kicker: in the 2010 mid-term election, only 57.9 percent of registered Washington voters cast a ballot.

Fellow Washingtonians, I know we can do better than that. In the words of American author Louis L'Amour, "To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain."

JUDY GOLBERG, Richland