In case you forgot - or never knew in the first place - today is your last chance to vote in this year's primary election. As is our solemn duty, the Alligator reminds you to get off your ass and contribute to the democratic process.

But today, with election-watchers predicting a paltry 35 percent turnout, your vote could really mean something. And there are a handful of interesting races this year - with ramifications at the local, state and national level.

Rep. Katherine Harris, the Sarasota congresswoman who oversaw the 2000 presidential election recount as Florida secretary of state, is running for her party's U.S. Senate nomination. Today, she faces three other Republicans - the strongest of whom is Will McBride, an Orlando lawyer.

Like Harris, McBride takes a conservative line on everything from abortion to stem cell research to immigration reform. Like Harris, he is an evangelical Christian. But unlike Harris, McBride is honest, sane and - most importantly - capable of giving voters a credible alternative to incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson this November. The Alligator endorses McBride.

In the gubernatorial race, Republican voters face a similar choice. State Attorney General Charlie Crist, the front-runner, is a moderate who supports gay civil unions, earned legalization for illegal immigrants and - grudgingly - a woman's right to choose.

His opponent, Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, is essentially Katherine Harris minus the eye shadow. He supports broad restrictions on abortion, relaxed gun control and a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. We endorse Crist.

In the gubernatorial primary, Tampa Rep. Jim Davis faces state Sen. Rod Smith of Alachua. Both are moderate, middle-of-the-road Democrats with years of experience in Florida politics. Both are excellent campaigners.

But Davis' platform - which suggests pooling Florida's resources with those of other states to negotiate lower prescription-drug prices, for example - impresses us with its common-sense approach. He gets our endorsement.

In the race for Alachua County Sheriff, four experienced cops square off for the opportunity to challenge Republican Emery Gainey in November's general election. Any one of them would be a good change of pace from departing Sheriff Steve Oelrich, whose reign of almost 15 years alienated the sheriff's office from the Gainesville Police.

But we like Sadie Darnell, a GPD veteran whose ties to UF run deep. After the 1990 student murders, she spoke for the Gainesville Police in national press conferences and interviews. Since then, she's been the department's community liaison, working closely with local groups like the Gainesville Commission on the Status of Women. Darnell is the right candidate to bring the sheriff's office and voters closer together. We endorse her.

Of course, if you're not registered to vote in Gainesville - or not registered to vote at all - our endorsements won't do you much good. But what are you waiting for? The general election is only nine weeks away, and the clock is ticking.

Besides, registering to vote is easy - just go to http://elections.alachua.fl.us , print out the registration form and drop it off at the Supervisor of Elections Office on First Avenue. All you need is a driver's license and your Gator 1 Card.

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