There's a lot at stake on Tuesday

If you have to skip an election, it should not be Tuesday's primary.

Everywhere, the races are hotly contested.

In Carson City, Ward 3 Supervisor Pete Livermore, an eight-year incumbent, is fighting for his political life against Joe Eiben, Charles Kuhn and Neil Weaver. And what's a hotter issue in Carson City than the direction of its schools? Jeff Fontaine, Barbara Howe and Roger Kirkland are vying for Seat 6 on the school board.

No wonder early voter turnout in Carson City has been higher than expected, and we can hope for the same on Tuesday.

Douglas County has several hotly contested races. One of two seats on the Douglas County commission is on the primary ballot, as is the office of public administrator. In Assembly District 39, voters will choose among four Republicans, John Dicks, Rick Gardner, James Settelmeyer and Barbara Smallwood.

Voters in Lyon and Storey counties have several races to ponder, including the sheriff's offices that have brought plenty of drama this election season.

But the races of most interest are in state government, where candidates have been talking themselves up and their opponents down at every commercial break. It's been a campaign season that some have labeled as the nastiest they've seen.

It's too strong to say that Nevada's next governor will be determined by this GOP primary - it's a long time until November - but it's clear that either Jim Gibbons or Bob Beers will be the frontrunner to take over for Gov. Guinn against either Dina Titus or Jim Gibson.

The primary will decide the fate of Carson City's own Secretary of State Dean Heller, who could find himself looking for a new line of work if he doesn't outpoll Dawn Gibbons and Sharron Angle.

There's a lot at stake on Tuesday, and we hope you'll be a part of it.