Why bother when most unopposed?

I am one of the many Snohomish County voters who did not mark a party choice on my ballot. Like many other voters, I do not like having to choose a party, but I was willing to do so as I sat down, voters’ pamphlet in hand, to mark my ballot. But I became disgusted when I realized that beyond the U.S. Senate races (where the winning candidates have been preordained for months and faced only token or frivolous competition) the candidates were all running unopposed. Why should I identify a party for the purpose of choosing a candidate if I am offered no choice! I did vote in the non-partisan races where my opinion did have some value. But why should we pay for a voters’ pamphlet and an election that serve only to bless the anointed?

Therese Evans

Snohomish