Voters, tell us what’s on your mind this election season

Eastern Washington voters, The Spokesman-Review wants to know what’s on your mind.

We’re inviting you to email us a 200-word description of the goals and concerns that will shape the way you vote this year. We will select a diverse, representative sampling of our reader’s submissions, and we will publish as many as we can.

Our focus: The 5th Congressional District.

Why? The 5th is home to urban liberals, suburban conservatives, and rural residents of every political stripe. It includes all the elements that comprise the nation’s current political divide. Red State? Blue State? The 5th has been there, done that.

For 30 years it elected a progressive Democrat, Tom Foley, who rose to prominence as speaker of the house. After ousting him, for 22 years it elected Republicans: George Nethercutt, and now Cathy McMorris Rodgers. This year, McMorris Rodgers faces Democrat Joe Pakootas.

This year, the nation faces one of the most heated election seasons since 1994 when Foley lost his seat.

If you would like to submit your thoughts, here is what we need: A short sentence about yourself; include your age, your career, and a hobby or two that tell who you are and how you spend your time. Then, no more than 200 words describing what you’re looking for, or what concerns you, in the current election. Your daytime phone number and mailing address are required; we won’t publish them, but we need them for verification. Finally, send us a recent photo of yourself; we’ll publish it, along with your words.

Deadline for submission is noon on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Send your text, plus your photo, to the following email address: 5thDistrictVoting@gmail.com.