As the 2008 presidential campaigns continue to heat up, it is clear that our community will play an incredibly important role.

We are a sought-after voting bloc, as evidenced by nearly all the Democratic presidential candidates appearing in the LOGO/HRC Visible Vote forum, speaking exclusively about issues of specific concern to the GLBT and allied community, and the efforts of candidates of all parties to reach out to our community – for volunteers, for dollars and for votes. It is a fact – GLBT people and our supporters are an integral part of these campaigns.

We cannot afford to be passive in this process. We all have a role to play, and must take the appropriate steps to ensure that our voices are heard in 2008, and that can start by simply making certain that we are registered to vote.

If you are not yet registered, or have moved since the last election, you must register with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. There are three options to register – online at www.sdvote.com, by picking up a postcard registration form at the Registrar’s office (5201 Ruffin Road, Ste. I, San Diego, Calif. 92123), at any city clerk’s office in San Diego County, at the Department of Motor Vehicles, U.S. post offices and public libraries. Or, you can call the Registrar’s office at 858-565-5800 and request a registration postcard.

If you are registered, but would like to receive a vote-by-mail ballot, you can do so at www.sdvote.com or by calling 858-565-5800. Voting by mail gives you the opportunity to take your time (two weeks) to complete your ballot and ensure that unforeseen circumstances such as work, illness or travel don’t keep you from casting your vote.

If you are registered, but would like to permanently become a vote by mail ballot voter, you can also do so at www.sdvote.com or by calling 858-565-5800 and requesting the permanent vote by mail voter form.

For more information about voting in San Diego, please contact the Registrar of Voters at 858-565-5800 or www.sdvote.com.

Voting is one of the most important, effective ways we have to make a difference – a difference not only on issues of our own equality, but on the universal concerns we share as GLBT Americans, including the war, health care, the economy, employment, education and foreign relations. It’s one way to be vocal and powerful, all in private.

Our right to vote gives us an opportunity to create different possibilities. In recent months, we’ve seen some landmark gains for GLBT equality, but we’re also experiencing challenging and difficult setbacks, such as the current ENDA debate or Governor Schwarzenegger’s second veto of a bill that would allow us the freedom to marry. Those of us who are eligible voters must view the 2008 elections as an opportunity, but also as an obligation, and one of our most important civic duties.

As we have in past election cycles, The Center will again invest significant time, energy and resources to make sure our community has access to information on the issues and candidates that are critical to the 2008 elections. We will continue to offer educational opportunities and community forums, as well as providing relevant voter information (such as that above) to make sure the GLBT San Diego will deliver the vote in 2008.