Local midterm elections

It’s yet again that stressful, nerve-racking, anxious time of the year when everything revolves around the world of politics and only voting ads are shown on the TV. Citizens who are 18 or older can participate in the annual election. Every elected official is important, but citizens of Mesa County are focusing mainly on the large debate between Adam Frisch and Lauren Boebert for Congress along with Heidi Ganahl and Jared Polis for Governor. But why should you care about politics when you can’t even vote? Many students at Palisade aren’t eligible or old enough to vote yet, but you should still care because it can determine our future as a society. “For the benefit of our community, we are in need of coming together to find common ground,” says Jory Sorensen, principal of Redlands Middle School, “kids over 18 should vote because your opinion matters.” Government elected officials only get into office with votes, which is why you should contribute. If you care about people and the future of others, then you’ll cast your vote. Students also being aware of the political world they’re surrounded in is also beneficial because it socializes and educates them, so when they do have the opportunity to vote they will understand because they’ve done their research. But most importantly, citizens need to nominate the right person to represent them because having someone in office that we trust and know will speak for our rights is very important. Election day is November 8th, so get your votes in!

The ballot is as follows:

FEDERAL OFFICES

United States Senator - Micheal Bennet (Democratic), Joe O’Dea (Republican), Brian Peotter (Libertarian), Frank Atwood (Approval Voting)

Representative to the 118th United States Congress - Adam Frisch (Democratic), Lauren Boebert (Republican)

STATE OFFICES

Governor/Lieutenant Governor - Heidi Ganahl / Danny Moore (Republican), Jared Polis / Dianne Primavera (Democratic), Paul Noel Fiorino / Cynthia Munhos de Aquino Sirianni (Unity), Danielle Neuschwanger / Darryl Gibbs (American Constitution), Kevin Ruskusky / Michele Poague (Libertarian)

Secretary of State - Pam Anderson (Republican), Jena Griswold (Democratic), Gary Swing (Unity), Jan Kok (Approval Voting), Amanda Campbell (American Constitution), Bennett Rutledge (Libertarian)

State Treasurer - Dave Young (Democratic), Lang Sias (Republican), Anthony J. Delgado (Libertarian)

Attorney General - John Kellner (Republican), Phil Welser (Democratic), William F. Robinson III (Libertarian)

State Board of Education Member - Kathy Plomer (Democratic), Dan Maloit (Republican), Ryan Van Gundy (Libertarian), Eric Bodenstab (Unity)

State Senator - Janice Rich (Republican), David C. Stanhlke (Democratic)

State Representative - Damon Davis (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

COUNTY OFFICES

County Commissioner - Charles C. Pink (Democratic), Bobbie Daniel (Republican)

County Clerk and Recorder - Jeffrey Waldon (Democratic), Bobbie Gross (Republican), Robert Ballard (Libertarian)

County Treasurer - Sheila Reiner (Republican)

County Assessor - Brent Goff (Republican)

County Sheriff - Todd Rowell (Republican)

County Surveyor - Scott Thompson (Republican)

County Coroner - Dean Havlik (Republican), Meaghan E. Johnson (Democratic)