OPINION

Take the time to watch candidates

Poughkeepsie Journal Editorial Board

It's incredibly dangerous, but statistics show that in elections without a presidential race, voter interest wanes, and fewer people turn out at the polls.

webkey editorial

With so much on the line this year, that scenario must not happen. In the mid-Hudson Valley area in particular, there are a number of hotly contested federal and state races. And all New York voters will be asked to make choices in three critically important referendums: one involving how political lines are drawn, another that could lead to a massive reduction in legislative paperwork and a third that would authorize the state to spend up to $2 billion on school technology.

As in years past, the Journal has been working to give our readers unique opportunities to size up the candidates. We have scheduled editorial board meetings with candidates in state and federal races, and we will be live-streaming those meetings on our website, www.poughkeepsiejournal.com, and making them available for replay afterward.

On the state level, there is plenty to discuss, ranging from what New York leaders must do about ethics reform and the Common Core education curriculum, to proper taxing policies and ways for the state to help localities grow economically.

On the federal level, the country's immigration and energy policies and its strategies to deal with terrorism and keep the country safe are just part of what must be discussed, so voters can make the best decisions at the polls.

During the recent primary elections, only about 10 percent of eligible voters turned out statewide. That number is astonishingly low. Eligible voters of all political stripes must do much better during the general election. The first steps are to make sure you are eligible and registered to vote — and also to make sure you are informed.

Here is the Journal's latest schedule of meetings with candidates:

4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29:

Republican candidate for governor Rob Astorino

2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30:

106th Assembly District

Democrat Didi Barrett

Republican Michael Kelsey

2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1:

41st Senate District

Democrat Terry Gipson

Republican Sue Serino

1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3:

19th Congressional District

Democrat Sean Eldridge

Republican Chris Gibson

2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6:

104th Assembly District

Republican Sakima Green-Brown

Democrat Frank Skartados

2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7:

103rd Assembly District

Democrat Kevin Cahill

Republican Kevin Roberts

4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10:

18th Congressional District

Republican Nan Hayworth

Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney

4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16

46th Senate District

Republican George Amedore

Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk

1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20

40th Senate District

Republican Terrence Murphy

Democrat Justin Wagner

2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22

105th Assembly District

Republican Kieran Michael Lalor

Democrat Joseph Torres

For more information on voting, contact:

www.elections.ny.gov, 518-474-6220

www.dutchesselections.com, 845-486-2473

http://ulstercountyny.gov/elections, 845-334-5470