The memories and the horror are still sharp in the minds of our community. The passage of time hasn't yet allowed them to fade, blurring and dulling the edges.

If Proposition 32 did what its supporters claim, "stop special interest money," it would be a welcome relief.

Riverbank has had more political and financial tumult than any other city in our county over the past four years. Many of the issues are still at play in this election, when voters will choose a mayor and fill two council seats.

California's "three strikes" law has incapacitated thousands of repeat felons, and appropriately so. But the 1994 law also has led to disproportionately long sentences for some individuals whose third strike was for a minor crime. Proposition 36 would sand down some of the rough edges on this important law.

As most citizens are surely aware by now, there are two competing tax proposals on the Nov. 6 ballot, both promising to protect public schools from even more of the drastic budget cuts that have already shortened the school year and significantly reduced arts, music and libraries in many districts.

In some political races, it is difficult to identify the best choice in a field of weak candidates. In other races, it is easy to separate the strong from the weak.

Human trafficking is a despicable crime. But Proposition 35 on the Nov. 6 ballot is not the right approach to the problem. Daphne Phung, founder and executive director of Californians Against Slavery and the major sponsor of Proposition 35, deserves praise for shining a light on human trafficking. Phung believes this form of modern slavery, including forced labor and the sexual exploitation of women and children, is rife in California. But reliable statistics are impossible to find.

As the San Joaquin Valley battles back from the economic downturn, the region needs congressional representatives who can promote the interests of the key industry, agriculture, and also work with local leaders to broaden the economic base.

The 112th Congress is one of the most unproductive and unpopular in recent history. While some will try to rationalize the gridlock, ultimately the success of any organization is the sum of its parts. One of the parts of the troubled Congress is Jeff Denham, who we have supported in every previous election he has been in.

Opponents of genetically engineered food are promoting Proposition 37, an ill-conceived initiative to require labels on some food that contains even the slightest amount of genetically altered ingredients.

Under the new maps that become effective with this election, Stanislaus County will have just two Assembly members, both shared with one adjoining county.

At its best, California's initiative process offers voters a way to bypass legislators who have become paralyzed by the special interests who fund their campaigns. Proposition 39 shows how direct democracy should work.

California voters have a basic question to answer when deciding Proposition 33, a self-interested initiative funded by billionaire George Joseph, founder of Mercury General Corp. Should Mercury and other auto insurance companies be allowed to charge higher rates for people who are new to auto insurance or are re-entering the auto insurance market after having dropped coverage? The answer should be no.

Proposition 40 was a costly and ill-advised attempt by the Republican Party to throw out the state Senate districts drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Between now and Nov. 6, the Opinions pages will carry a lot of articles about the measures and races in the fall election. Here's what we have planned.

The voters have a chance to improve state government by passing Proposition 31 on the Nov. 6 ballot. There are many reasons that this measure is needed. A major one is requiring transparency in a legislative system that does its significant business in secret.