Primary election is nearly here. These races impact your daily life | Opinion

Tuesday, Aug. 5, is Election Day in Washington. It might not be a presidential election year or an off-year congressional election, but the choices voters make will have a greater impact on their daily lives than most decisions made in distant Washington, D.C. We urge eligible voters to embrace their democratic rights and submit their ballots on time.

Because this is a primary, voters will winnow the field. Where there are three or more candidates in a race, the two who receive the most votes will advance to the November general election for a head-to-head contest. Ballot propositions will pass or fail now.

Primary elections are the first step toward choosing leaders who will make important decisions about housing development, public safety, infrastructure investments and municipal services that directly affect your quality of life. Historically, odd-year primary elections have low participation rates. Those who stay home hand tremendous power to their neighbors.

To cast an informed vote, start with coverage in this newspaper. Tri-City Herald reporters have profiled candidates in Kennewick, Prosser and Richland. Then check out the Voters’ Pamphlet for more information, and peruse candidate websites if you’re still unsure.

Watch out for candidates who could not be bothered to submit basic information to the official Voters’ Pamphlet. If they did not complete that basic campaign task, voters should question their ability to handle the complex responsibilities of municipal governance. Civic leadership requires attention to detail.

The primary election provides an opportunity for young, first-time voters to cultivate a habit of voting. Seventeen-year-olds who will turn 18 before the November general election may vote in this election.

We hope they decide to do so. One of the best predictors of who will turn into a regular voter year after year is participation early on. All eligible voters can register in person through Election Day.

Most of the local electoral action is in Benton County. There are competitive city council races in Kennewick, Prosser and Richland as well as in a couple of school districts. Residents of Fire District 1 will decide a levy lid lift.

In Franklin County, the only race is in Connell, where voters will find a mayoral race on the ballot. Everyone else in the county need not worry that they did not receive a ballot in the mail.

In Walla Walla County, Proposition 1 asks residents to approve a modest sales tax increase to pay for upgrades to the emergency communications infrastructure and staffing. It would cost shoppers 20 cents on a $100 purchase to upgrade an aging 911 system. There’s also a mayoral race in Waitsburg.

Local elections in Washington are nonpartisan; at least they are supposed to be. The Benton County Republican Party has waded into local contests with endorsements, ignoring that longstanding tradition. Local leaders should be focused on fixing potholes, not advancing a national agenda.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. Voters decide whether local leaders are up to the job of ensuring that traffic runs smoothly, neighborhoods are safe, and tax dollars are spent wisely. Be sure that your voice is heard.

Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday or can be submitted at county drop boxes. View Voters’ Pamphlets and drop box locations at Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla election websites.