HERE ARE OUR EDITORIAL BOARD SUGGESTIONS

The San Diego Union-tribune Editorial Board issued these voting recommendations over the course of the last month after interviewing dozens of candidates and ballot measure supporters and opponents by Zoom and by email, soliciting and reading numerous commentaries and conducting additional research, including reading news reports in The San Diego Union-tribune and other outlets. The board consists of Publisher and Editor Jeff Light, Editorial and Opinion Director Matthew T. Hall, Deputy Director Chris Reed, Community Opinion Editor Laura Castañeda, Reader Outreach Editor Andrew Kleske, and Opinion editors and producers Abby Hamblin and Kristy Totten. The Union-tribune’s newsroom was not involved in the board’s interviews, discussions or decisions.

In evaluating candidates, we considered their experience, background, character, demeanor, accomplishments, record of community service and policy stances. Their political party didn’t matter.

The board sometimes spent days determining endorsements, which is a testament to both the qualifications of this year’s candidates, especially at the city level, and the seriousness with which we interviewed and analyzed so many campaigns. When it was a difficult decision, we tried to explain that in our endorsements. We did all of this as a public service for our readers, not for any campaign, and we appreciate you making our research part of yours.

Please remember that Tuesday is the last day to vote. Don’t think of it as Election Day. Think of it as an election deadline. Voting began nearly a month ago, and counting votes could take days or weeks more, all of which is a legal, legitimate part of the process. In San Diego County, ballots postmarked and mailed by Nov. 3 and received at the Registrar’s Office by Nov. 20 will count, and the registrar has until Dec. 3 to certify election results. We encourage you to drop your ballot off early at a polling place. Regardless of who you choose, thank you for voting.