Editorial: There’s a lot riding on Tuesday turnout

Friday, Nov. 1, 2002 | 5 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: Nov. 3, 2002

A good voter turnout is always important, but it's especially so this election because of all the ballot questions and races that will mean so much for Southern Nevada's quality of life. The outcome of the legislative races, along with two competitive congressional races in Southern Nevada, will bear heavily on such issues as education, health care, transportation and the environment. Voters in Congressional Districts 1 and 3 also will have an opportunity to decide whether President Bush, who broke his promise to Nevada on Yucca Mountain, will have more support or whether there will be strong checks and balances to his power. In those races, the election of Democrats Shelley Berkley and Dario Herrera also could send a message to Washington about our condemnation of GOP-led efforts to make Nevada a nuclear-waste dumping ground.

Not to be overlooked are the ballot questions. We have to believe that a majority of Nevadans oppose Question 9, the marijuana initiative. If this passes, it will adversely affect every resident of the state. Voting yes on Question 10 will enable a sufficient transportation network. A yes vote on Question 14 could lead to lower utility bills.

Voters who feel as strongly as we do about Southern Nevada's quality of life should understand how urgently their votes are needed. The surest way to be disappointed with the election results is to stay away from the polls and let others decide for you.