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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The choices are yours

The stakes seldom get higher.

Control over everything from the White House and U.S. Congress to state governments and county courthouses is on the line in the Nov. 4 general election.

But while the high-profile presidential race seems to draw most of the attention, dozens of other candidates are vying for your votes as well. This voter’s guide introduces you to the candidates and the issues driving contested state and local races affecting Spokane and Kootenai counties.

Republicans, for example, are trying to remain at the helm of the Spokane County Commission and its

$400 million annual budget, but face aggressive challenges from Democrats. Across the state line in Kootenai County, a similar battle is playing out but with an interesting twist: Two surprisingly well-organized independent candidates have joined the fray.

And there are plenty of ballot measures.

In Washington, voters will decide whether to legalize assisted suicide, force greater training for nursing home workers and divert more money to easing traffic congestion. Kootenai County voters will decide whether to approve a tax package that would enable construction of a new jail.

All of the outcomes are up to you.

On these pages you’ll learn about the key issues driving congressional, legislative and local races.

Look for more information online at www.spokesmanreview.com, and follow breaking developments in The Spokesman-Review and on radio station KJRB 790, whose news division is powered by The Spokesman-Review newsroom.

This special section was edited by Assistant City Editor David Wasson. Contributing to the publication were Assistant Managing Editor for Presentation Geoff Pinnock, reporters Alison Boggs, Jonathan Brunt, Jim Camden, Tom Clouse, John Craig, Taryn Hecker, Mike Prager, Richard Roesler, Betsy Russell and Deputy Photo Editor Liz Kishimoto.