>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

The Observer’s reporters are in the final stages of preparing stories about local races in the May 20 primary. The Observer editorial board has been conducting interviews all week in order to decide which candidates to endorse in the primary. The stories, including Q&As with the county commission candidates, will be published starting next week.

Ballots went out today and most voters should have them by Saturday. If recent election trends are any indication, nearly half of voters will wait until the last couple of days prior to election day to vote.

The Observer encourages voters to get all the information they can before casting their ballots in the upcoming primary election.

In addition to stories about the candidates that will appear next week, voters in Union County will have a chance to see local candidates at a forum sponsored by the chamber of   commerce. If you’re still wondering who to vote for, plan on attending the forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the La Grande Middle School commons.

Letters to the editor on the various races only began flowing in this week. Watch for letters to fill most of The Observer’s Opinion page in the days to come. Be advised, though, that The Observer is limiting endorsement letters to eight per candidacy and one letter from each candidate. But with five people seeking the Union County commission post, two seeking the District 10 Circuit Court judgeship and the Mount Emily advisory vote all on the ballot, the letters columns should have plenty of content.

Wallowa County citizens, too, are encouraged to submit letters endorsing candidates in their local races.

The Observer can help provide the forum that voters need to help make informed decisions. If you’ve got a favorite candidate in a race, don’t hesitate to share your opinion.

May 20 isn’t far away.