By 5 p.m. today, Aug. 7, voters will have a clearer understanding of their choices. Today marks the filing deadline for most candidates seeking public office.
In the world of anticipated announcements it hardly ranks up there with Academy Award nominations, NFL draft picks, or even gender reveal parties hosted by enthusiastic parents-to-be.
One reason for the antipathy may be that some place settings have already been established.
In March (the same month our lives were changed by the pandemic!) Chula Vista voters, for example, learned District 3 Councilman Steve Padilla would have a November contest against Henry Martinez II, while in District 4 Andrea Cardenas would take on incumbent Mike Diaz.
They also determined then that at the federal level Congressman Juan Vargas would be defending his seat against Juan Hidalgo Jr.
For a lot of voters, March is when they have already made up their minds about who they will support seven months later in November.
But in places like National City where council elections are held in November, the field of nominees — while speculated, whispered and chattered about behind the scenes — does not become official until this weekend.
The same is true for school boards, college districts and water agencies throughout the county.
In previous election cycles incumbents, candidates, journalists, pundits, activists, academics and neighbors stressed how important voting is. Aside from running for office or enlisting as an activist, there is no more direct and simple way of participating in democracy than voting.
That holds true.
But the 2020 election presents an even more compelling reason to register and vote. Who we choose to place in office could, literally, be a choice for someone responsible for making life and death decisions.
The COVID-19 pandemic will not be extinguished overnight. Despite what President Donald Trump says it will not just “go away.”
The people we place in office will make decisions regarding the safety of public gatherings, how to assist economically struggling communities and best practices for the future.
Like the current pandemic which has disproportionately harmed South County, election 2020 should not be taken lightly.
