It’s coming up to that time of the election cycle again, the end of the endorsements.
We have another local election, on Tuesday, April 3, and as is the Tribune policy in all elections, we shut off endorsement Public Forums before the election.
The last day we’ll run an endorsement is next Friday, and as is always the case, they run on a first-come, first-served basis so now is the time to submit them.
Apparently, in the past, there has been some misunderstanding about why deadline endorsements as we do.
There was the suggestion that we do it so that the candidates have a chance to respond on the Sunday before the election.
That is not it. It never has been.
The last day of publication before an election is left open in case there is a problem in some endorsement that the Tribune has to address.
The campaign endorsements close as of the Friday, March 30 Opinion page.
We reserve the ability to address issues on the last day before the election, on Sunday, April 1, in case there is a problem with a previous submission.
This has been a long standing practice, dating back three decades at the very least.
And the majority of our endorsers and candidates, for that matter, have been responsible over the years.
We have had some close calls, however, and if the situations had played out any differently, we would have needed that last chance to get things straightened out.
So, that is why we have the system in place. It’s worked well for a long time. The last day you will see endorsements before the April election will be next Friday.
That still leaves you time to make your choices. Or, if you are ready to use advanced voting, you can do so now.
Either way, most of you have a great chance to exercise your franchise at the local level.
Get out and vote.
— Chuck Smith