Be informed before you cast your ballot
“Bush is a liar.”
“Kerry is a flip-flopper.”
“Murray excuses terrorism.”
“Nethercutt takes advantage of 9/11 to gain political power.”
With so many ad hominem attacks, smear tactics and sophomoric name-calling in this year’s political campaigns, the average voter is left in a tough spot. Most candidates tend to spend far less time explaining their positions than in tearing down the character of their opponents.
So, do you go with the liar or the flip-flopper?
For those who believe the truth might just be a smidge more complicated than that, there is help.
Check out:
Spokane County
Democratic Party
(509) 324-8525
This site provides links to national, state and local Democratic candidates’ Web sites, which in turn explain the candidates’ political platforms. Pamphlets are available at 321 S. Cedar St.
Spokane County
Republican Party
(509) 218-4691
Republican candidate information can be found here, comparable to the Spokane Democrats’ site. The party is located at 201 W. Riverside Ave.
Green Party
of Spokane County
(509) 747-4400
At press time, Spokane’s Green site ( www.spokanegreens.org) was down, but the gp.org site provides detailed Green Party information, including on Washington state candidates.
Spokane County
Libertarian Party
www.lpws.org/spokane
(509) 245-3238
The Internet site provides little information on current candidates, but some information on Liber-
tarian meetings and organizations.
American Heritage Party
(509) 548-2319
The site provides no information on current candidates, but does explain some of the party’s platforms.
Kootenai County Democratic Headquarters
(208) 667-7314
The site contains candidate information and Democratic events in Kootenai County.
Kootenai County Republican Headquarters
(208) 765-8259
Idaho Constitution Party
www.constitutionpartyidaho.com
Idaho Libertarian Party
Other sites:
Election Central
The Spokesman-Review’s online resource for the campaign season. It includes quizzes on issues that allow you to match your views with the candidates, details on background and positions on all major candidates, and an experiment in citizen election blogging called Searching for Democracy. www.spokesmanreview.com
Washington Secretary of State’s Elections Page
Information on voter registration, an elections calendar, campaign financing and elections laws. www.secstate.wa.gov/elections
Spokane County
Elections Page
Candidate and ballot issue information, voter registration, elections calendar, past results. www.spokanecounty.org/elections
The Center for
Responsive Politics
Billed as “Your Guide to the Money in U.S. Elections,” this site includes fund-raising disclosures in campaigns for president and Congress, as well as other issues. www.opensecrets.org
Project Vote Smart
Nonprofit site covers candidates and elected officials in five areas: biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and interest group ratings. www.vote-smart.org
Public Agenda
Nonprofit site focuses on research on public policy issues and provides unusual “Choicework” exercises that allow users to work through difficult issues. www.publicagenda.org/aboutpa/
aboutpa.cfm
Rock the Vote
Youth-oriented site, particularly emphasizing free-speech and artistic freedom. www.rockthevote.org
On the Issues
Nonprofit’s Web site includes state and federal candidates’ positions on issues, along with quotations and other background. www.issues2002.org/default.htm