THE first half of Guam’s 2012 election, the primary, is tomorrow. The polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. If you’re not sure where to vote, check the map in today’s election supplement.

The day will probably go smoothly, thanks to extensive preparation by the Guam Election Commission, and we certainly hope they are ready. We are a bit apprehensive, though, because of what happened following the general election in 2010.

In some ways, this primary is a test run for the next general election on Nov. 6, and there are some areas where things could go wrong. Counting write-in votes, for example, may be a problem since at least one aggressive write-in campaign has been mounted – former Gov. Carl Gutierrez’s effort to get his name on the November ballot for Public Auditor, which includes several variations of his name and even stickers.

We don’t remember anyone ever trying stickers before. While innovative, we wonder if the things have the potential to gum up the ballot-counting machines. In the past, the Election Commission has not been in any hurry to count write-ins. This time, they’ll be under pressure to report that race right along with the tallies of the more conventional races.

Some of you may not feel like voting in the primary, which is for the most part a party election – the auditor position being an exception. We got a comment on our website from one reader who will not vote because he’s not a party member.

“The upcoming primary election is a party election,” Luther Myrvold said, “and I do not vote in party elections.” He goes on to point out that he might vote if Guam had an open primary, but we don’t. Tomorrow’s election is a closed primary, so you must choose Republican, Democrat or Independent. And once you choose, be careful not to cross over or you will spoil your ballot.

Whatever your view of primaries, we urge you to go to the polls and vote because we think it’s a civic responsibility. If you feel as Luther does, then vote for the Independent, or vote only in the non-partisan auditor’s race. But vote, because that’s how our democratic system works. The more people stay home and do not participate, the less valid will be the results.

Here at Marianas Variety-Guam, we look forward to the primary outcome, which we’ll cover in detail in our Monday edition. May the best men and women win!