Please register and vote in the Feb. 5 primary election
Unless you've been living under a rock somewhere, you know that Californians will be going to the polls on Tues., Feb. 5 to vote in the state's first meaningful presidential primary election in decades.

It's possible the White House sweepstakes will be over by then, but probably not.

If you just moved here, or just turned 18, or you haven't voted before, now is the time to register. The deadline is exactly two weeks before the election: Tues., Jan. 22. Libraries, city hall, post offices and fire stations have the registration forms.

Reporter Eliav Appelbaum tells you what you need to know about polls, ballots and registration on page 7.

Those who prefer not to register as a Democrat or a Republican can still request a ballot to participate in the Democratic primary election or they can vote in the primary for the American Independent Party.

But if you want to vote in the Republican primary election, you must be registered as a Republican.

For many years, when California's primary election was in June, the most populated state in the nation had no voice in the presidential primary process. The Republican and Democratic candidates for president were almost always decided by June.

If you're 18 by Feb. 5, unless you're a convicted felon or an illegal alien, you have the right to vote.

Americans have died in service to our country to defend your right to vote. As much as we'd like to talk about civic responsibility and how important it is for everyone to vote, it's a fact that turnout in our country is nothing short of abysmal.

Maybe this year will be different.

Nobody can say there's a shortage of candidates.

Some are stronger than others and some may be more qualified, but in both parties are candidates that genuinely excite at least some of the voters.

To be sure, nobody is everyone's favorite. But other than George Washington, no president was universally loved.

Be sure to vote on Feb. 5. There are some ballot measures, too, that need your attention.

It was Al Capone who once said, "Vote early and vote often." We'll take early or late, but don't forget to participate.