A Deadline and Democracy [Opinion]

A Deadline Passed. Did Anyone Tell Democracy? [Opinion]

Ask most Coachella Valley residents what happened Friday, August 7, and chances are they won’t have any idea.

Yet an important deadline in our local democracy came and went. It was the final day for residents to step forward and become candidates for many of the local offices that will be decided this November.

Some of our most important local elections receive remarkably little public attention.

Consider a few of the races on this year’s ballot.

Five seats were up for election this year across Desert Water Agency and Mission Springs Water District. Desert Water Agency had three directors’ seats up, Divisions 1, 2 and 3, while Mission Springs had two, in Divisions 1 and 5.

These aren’t insignificant offices.

Water boards set rates, oversee conservation and manage one of the desert’s most critical resources. New state water-use requirements managed by these agencies will also directly impact residents.

At a time when water supply, conservation and the future allocation of water remain major issues throughout California, there should be considerable public interest in who occupies these seats.

Yet how many residents knew they could run?

That’s where the local news media have a responsibility that goes beyond covering elections as horse races after candidates have already emerged.

Weeks before the filing deadline, residents should have been hearing: These offices are coming up for election. Here is what they do. Here is who is eligible. And if you think you can do the job better, here is how to become a candidate.

That’s part of covering democracy, too.

The question isn’t whether any particular incumbent deserves another term. Some may be doing an excellent job.

The question is whether voters should have had a genuine opportunity to consider alternatives.

Competition forces elected officials to defend their records, answer questions and explain what they intend to do over the next four years. Even worthy incumbents and the public benefit from that examination.

Democracy works best when people know the door is open before it closes.

And this time, far too few people were told.