While less than half of all American adults vote in most elections, 10 Jefferson County residents will not only vote in November — they may vote for themselves. They know democracy is not a spectator sport.
Three incumbents and five new candidates will be on the Nov. 1 ballot for the Jefferson County R-1 Board of Education. These folks collected signatures and filed paperwork to get a shot at representing your schools.
They are willingly subjecting themselves to campaign mudslinging, irate resident phone calls and meetings that regularly last well past midnight — all without being paid a dime.
With busy family lives, long work schedules and 500 channels of television, many residents are not willing to devote the time and effort needed to serve in local government.
In Arvada, three sitting councilors are running unopposed. According to the incumbents and other city officials, this means the candidates are popular and face no serious opposition.
On the other hand, it mirrors a national trend of political races with one candidate or no candidates. Nationwide, 37 percent of state legislative seats are uncontested, according to the Denver-based National Conference of State Legislatures.
We congratulate the candidates who step up and engage in civic life. We also have some advice for the candidates and for voters.
We encourage candidates to run clean campaigns and make an effort to meet residents, hear their views and clearly define their positions on important civic issues. We also remind candidates there are strict rules on campaign signs, and the candidate who plants the most signs won’t necessarily win.
Though the current crop of candidates seems well-intentioned, we hope there are no single issue candidates or angry residents with a chip on their shoulder and a point to make by running for council. There are too many important issues to turn city government into a grudge match.
Likewise, we encourage residents to meet the candidates, learn their views and choose the ones who will best represent their districts with an open, thoughtful mindset.
There’s also plenty of chances to get involved without the rigors of campaign season. Contact your city and county government about citizen boards and commissions.