In Our View: Study for Nov. 2

We all know what “Labor Day Tuesday” means, right? Ugh! Back to work, for those who have jobs … and back to job hunting for those who don’t.

But today also marks the unofficial kickoff of the Nov. 2 election campaign. Granted, candidates have jockeyed for attention for three weeks after the Aug.17 primary. That winnowing system (not an election, and not a party nominating process) left voters with two finalists in each race. But now the action intensifies.

You can’t tell the players without a scorecard, or so the scorecard vendors say. Posted below is a scorecard of Nov. 2 candidates and ballot issues. (Incumbents and leading vote-getters in the primary are listed first.) Of course, all voters won’t vote in all races. District lines apply in the legislative races, for example. But all who vote may do so in the races for Senate and Congress, plus county races and state ballot measures.

Voters are free to conduct their own research as they see fit, but our recommendation is simple: The more research, the better. Among your resources:

The local voters pamphlet will arrive by mail about three weeks before the election. For a sneak preview, visit http://www.clarkvotes.com and view the pamphlet for the primary. (You’ll need to know who advanced beyond the primary as you study candidates.)

Clark/Vancouver Television (Channels 21 and 21) offers excellent interviews of the candidates. For details: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cvtv/cvtvindex.asp.

For statewide information: http://www.vote.wa.gov.

Columbian endorsement editorials will begin two to three weeks before the Nov. 2 election. Reminder: Our endorsements are opinions, nothing more, with the primary purpose of stimulating public dialogue.

The Public Disclosure Commission (http://www.pdc.wa.gov/) is a superb source of information about campaign contributions and the filing of required documents.

o U.S. Senate — Incumbent Democrat Patty Murray vs. Republican challenger Dino Rossi.

o 3rd Congressional District — Democrat Denny Heck vs. Republican Jaime Herrera.

o 17th Legislative District state representative — Incumbent Democrat Tim Probst vs. Republican Brian Peck for Pos. 1; Republican Paul Harris vs. Democrat Monica Stonier for Pos. 2.

o 18th Legislative District state representative — Democrat Dennis Kampe vs. Republican Ann Rivers for Pos. 1.

o 49th Legislative District state representative — Incumbent Democrat Jim Jacks vs. Republican Bill Cismar.

o Clark County commissioner — Incumbent Democrat Steve Stuart vs. Republican Alan Svehaug.

o County assessor — Democrat Janet Seekins vs. Republican Peter Van Nortwick.

o County clerk — Incumbent Democrat Sherry Parker vs. Republican Scott Weber.

o County prosecuting attorney — Democrat Tony Golik vs. Republican Brent Boger.

o County sheriff — Incumbent Republican Garry Lucas vs. Democrat Timothy Shotwell.

o County treasurer — Incumbent Democrat Doug Lasher vs. Republican Mike Appel.

o Vancouver City Council — Incumbent Bart Hansen vs. John Jenkins.

o Clark Public Utilities commissioner — Incumbent Nancy Barnes vs. Mike Lyons.

o Washington State Supreme Court — Incumbent Richard Sanders vs. Charlie Wiggins.

o Initiative 1098 — State income tax on high income earners.

o Initiative 1100 — Regulating liquor, retailers’ proposal.

o Initiative 1105 — Regulating liquor, wholesalers’ proposal.

o Initiative 1053 — Requiring a two-thirds majority vote for Legislature to raise taxes.

o Initiative 1107 — Repealing tax on candy, bottled water and soda pop.

o Initiative 1082 — Creating three-way industrial insurance system.

o House Joint Resolution 4220 — Denying bail in serious crimes.

o Referendum 52 — Green energy bond program for schools.

o Senate Joint Resolution 8225 — Constitutional amendment regarding state debt limits.