JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER...

That you have ONE WEEK until the registration books are closed for the September 5 primary election. That means that you have until the end of business next Monday if you need to register to vote in the primary, or change your information (name/address/party affiliation). If you've moved, be sure to get that updated, as your precient location may have changed...and that could cause a big headache at the polling place.

As of now, here's Polk County's breakdown of registered voters:

DEMOCRAT: 119,692 - 42 percent
REPUBLICAN: 110,965 - 39 percent
INDEPENDENT/OTHER PARTIES: 54,777 - 19 percent