Three questions about the 2006 elections.

[Massacure]

1) How do I register to vote? I turn 18 on August 4th.
2) When is the primary? Will I be 18 in time to vote in it?
3) Who is running in the eighth congressional district? What is noticeable about each of them?

[secretdj]

1. Here's some good info

Much of this information is available at the State Elections Board Website but your county clerk's office will help you more, especially when trying to find out where you vote (many county clerk websites have a search field for finding where you will vote).

In short:
1)You can register the day of the primary or ahead of time at the county clerks office. Bring an ID and a piece of mail, delivered to the address where you are claiming your residency.

2) This first election after you turn 18 is the fall primary on Tuesday September 12 (primary is always the 2nd Tuesday of September). But of course, you should vote in EVERY election! Relatively speaking, your vote effects local city races (in the spring) more.

3) I'll assume you're asking about the Democratic candidates... boy, tough choice there! 3 good candidates, so I suggest seeing them together at a forum or debate and checking out their websites:
Steve Kagen
Nancy Nusbaum
Jamie Wall

4) Finally, drag ALL your friends to get registered and vote! (and start a young democrats club to boot!)

[sybylla]

2. Excellent response!

I would only add that to save time on election day, I would recommend registering ahead of time. Thanks to HAVA, the registration process is getting a bit more cumbersome.

[Massacure]

3. Thanks for the great responses.

As for number 4, I hope you like Hillary. Even the people who like Bush like Bill Clinton and thus Hillary is an extension to him in their eyes. She by far has the most name recognition and a lot of people here would vote for her in a heartbeat.