It's time to put your vote where your mouth is

About the only way that voting in Nevada can get any easier is if election officials start making house calls to pick up your ballot.

It's officially election season, and the first important deadline is tonight at 9. That's the close of voter registration for the Aug. 15 primary.

About half of voters in our area take advantage of early voting for the primary, which means you can vote at your convenience at the courthouse anytime from 10 a.m. Saturday until Aug. 11.

With the possible exception of Saturday, you're not likely to encounter lines to use any of the 20 voting machines on the first floor of the Carson City Courthouse.

That's what you call customer service, and it pretty much removes any excuses for not voting. For the small inconvenience of registering and voting, you get to participate in our democracy, and you can complain all you want about our elected officials without any worry of hypocrisy. You did your part.

And don't buy into any arguments that it's "just a primary." In many ways, it's more important than the general election on Nov. 7. For example, some heavyweight contenders for the governor's office will be knocked out of the election.

To register in Carson City, take identification and proof of residence to the courthouse before 9 p.m. today.

Call 887-2087 for details about early voting or to ask other election questions.

In Douglas County, to register go to the county clerk's office at the Minden Inn (1594 Esmeralda Ave., Minden) or the Tahoe General Services office at the Douglas County Administrative Building, (175 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe) from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. today. For questions or for information on where and when to vote early, call 782-9020.

In Lyon County, voter registration today will be at the county administrative building (27 South Main St., Yerington) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; and at the Dayton office at 801 Overland Loop from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Starting Saturday, early voting at the county administrative building in Yerington will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. At the Dayton office and the Fernley office (Fernley City Hall, 595 Silverlace Blvd.), it will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays Monday through Aug. 11. At the Smith Valley Library (22 Day Lane), it will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 2 and Aug. 9.