If you plan on participating in either the Republican or Democratic primary on February 5th (in two weeks) you MUST register to vote by midnight tonight.

Don't panic, you don't have to rush out into traffic, just make sure your application (download it here) is postmarked by midnight. Dig the last-minute madness? You can drop your application in person at the LA County Clerk's desk in Norwalk (map) by midnight (see the OC Registrar [map] if you live there).

Here are some answers to questions you might have:

I still can't decide who to vote for! What to do?

You're not alone. Nearly a quarter of all eligible voters in California remain undecided according to recent polls. And now that Fred Thompson is off the scene, there's nobody left to vote for based on their portrayal of a president in a television drama. Want to make a difference? Pick a side. You can still change your affiliation/registration before the November 4th general election. Either way, show up so they know that we care.

What if I'm already registered decline-to-state?

If you wish to remain unaffiliated with either party, you are welcome to fill out a Democratic ballot on February 5th. However, as we posted previously, you must register Republican by tonight's deadline should you wish to participate in the Republican presidential primary.

Decline-to-state voters wishing to vote-by-mail for a Democratic (or American Independent) candidate in the primary must request a ballot by submitting this online form by next Tuesday the 29th.

What about all those crazy Propositions?

For many, voting "yes" or "no" on the half-dozen or so state and local Propositions on the ballot is more important than supporting a primary candidate February 5th. Feel free to skim our brief pro/con posts on the following: Proposition 91 - transportation funds; Proposition 92 - education funding reform; and Proposition 93 - term limits (among other things). Our briefs on Props 94-97 are here.

Photo by Fire Monkey Fish via LAist flickr photo pool.