Don't let your candidate get short-changed - vote early and often

Is the election for president over yet?

While I admit I am more of a political junkie than most, at the end of what must have been the 80th debate Wednesday night I was tempted to move my vote to a remote island.

Who are these undecided voters? What does being a POW have to do with running the country? How many times did Obama vote present in Illinois? Why is there more time spent discussing Joe the Plumber than on what the candidates are going to do about Social Security?

These questions and a few more are taking up valuable real estate in my brain right now.

Of note: The Daily Bee and Greater Sandpoint Chamber are sponsoring a Meet the Candidates night Wednesday at Sandpoint High School. All candidates are invited - including Sandpoint's sweetheart, Sarah Palin.

The event starts at 6 p.m. I guarantee this unique forum will allow voters to meet candidates better than any forum the Bee has sponsored over the years.

The general election sample ballot will be in the Oct. 30 Bee. The Bee's Voters' Guide will run on Oct. 29, and will include interviews will all of the local candidates. Remember, you can vote at the courthouse any weekday from now until the day of the election. You can also register there as long as you bring in a proof of residency.

If you don't like election day crowds or are prone to forget things like voting, I highly recommend you visit the courthouse and vote early.

It's not too late to cast your coinage vote for the "It's Time For a Change" election being held at the Bee. As you may recall, the Bonner Community Food Center and the Bee's Newspaper in Education program have a fundraiser going on in our front lobby.

We are conducting our own poll to find out which candidate is more popular by inviting people to put change into one of two empty water jugs.

This challenge kicked off last week and has already sparked enthusiasm and conflict. Sounds like the real election, doesn't it?

The Obama supporters have enthusiastically emptied piggy banks and have taken a lead in the change challenge.

On the conflict side, people have told me they don't like the idea of announcing the winner on election day.

"The results might change the way someone votes," one caller said. That's why it is a fundraiser. It's hard to get excited about results that would be released the day after the election. We aren't in Florida, afterall.

Another person e-mailed me and wondered if we were measuring the volume of coins turned in or the value of the coins. It's a fundraiser …we are measuring the amount.

I keep writing coins, but this fundraiser will also accept bills and maybe personal checks.

Keep the money coming in and I'll keep reporting on it.

This is David Keyes and I approved this message.