Make educated votes this year

By Colleen O'Callaghan-Miele

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 | midnight

Are you registered to vote?

Tuesday was the last day to register, so if you are not registered, you are not qualified to cast your vote in the Nov. 4 general election.

# If you are not sure about your registration status, you can call the Clark County Election Department at 455-VOTE (8683) or check online by going to www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/election.

Your vote can make a difference in the future of our country. Early voting starts Saturday. Check the Election Department Web site for details.

This particular presidential race is one of immense historic impact, the first in which either an African American man or a woman will be elected to the presidency or vice presidency, respectively.

I, for one, will always vote for the candidate I believe will keep America and her people first. I will not vote for a candidate based on their gender or race. I am refreshed by the fact that our country refuses to hold onto prejudice that has no place in the hearts of most Americans.

Besides the presidential race, this November's ballot features races for the U.S. House of Representatives, Nevada Supreme Court, State Assembly and Senate, Clark County Commission, Clark County School Board, Nevada State Board of Education, university system regents and numerous local judgeships.

Additionally, there are ballot questions that are important to the future of our state and its counties and cities.

They include several questions to change the state Constitution to eliminate an unconstitutional six-month residency requirement for voting; to provide that property taken for public use is valued at the highest price it would bring on the open market and to make other changes to the eminent domain proceedings; and to require that the Legislature find social or economic benefits and take certain steps before it enacts an exemption from property or sales and use taxes.

There is also a state question that asks if the Legislature should be allowed to change provisions of the Sales and Use Tax Act without voter approval to carry out federal laws or interstate agreements for the administration, collection or enforcement of the taxes. It would also repeal a tax exemption for certain aircraft and aircraft components.

In addition to the state questions, there are two county advisory questions. One asks if voters support an increase of up to 3 percent in the hotel and motel room tax to raise money for the long-term support of K-12 education.

The other one, only for Boulder City residents, asks if voters would support establishing a special tax district that would impose a new tax of 15 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to raise money for Boulder City Hospital.

Finally, there are three city questions in Boulder City. They would amend language in the city charter to include feminine and plural references; amend the charter to eliminate closed City Council hearings to consider the termination of a city officer; and advise the council on whether it should sell 46 acres of land to help fund construction of a third water intake in Lake Mead.

For a complete explanation and arguments, log onto the Election Department Web site.

Please make your vote an educated vote, and happy voting.

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On an unrelated note, I have been so busy and preoccupied with life and community that my godson thinks I have abandoned him. No, never, Matthew. You are always in my heart and in my prayers. You are a very special 6-year-old and a true gift to the world. Happy birthday Matthew Felsenfeld. Your godmother loves and misses you.

Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or [email protected].