Rhetoric in this country has reached a fever pitch. Folks are angry, and they’re scared because money’s tight. That means candidates and campaign topics are as ugly as they’ve ever been. Maybe you started muting the commercials, or maybe you’re house-training your puppy atop the mailers. Who needs the extra stress, right?

When is Election Day?

Tuesday, Nov. 2

When are the polls open?

From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

How can I tell if I'm registered?

Anyone in the state can look for their registration info at https://voterview.state.nm.us/

Job Description: Executive head of the state. Enforces laws. Appoints officers. Prepares the budget to present to the Legislature.

Job Description: Federal representative for New Mexicans living in the 1st Congressional District. Drafts and votes on legislation.

We contacted all candidates for local house districts with this questionnaire; here’s what we have back so far. We’ll post further responses as they come in.

Job Description: New Mexico’s chief legal representative. Writes advisory letters and opinions. Prosecutes and defends court cases, usually in upper-level state appellate courts.

Job Description: Oversees the statewide election process. Maintains lists of registered voters. Evaluates voting machines. Manages campaign finance reports. Second in line of succession for governor.

Job Description: Custodian of the state’s public lands. Majority of the revenue generated from the office goes to New Mexico schools.

Job Description: Bernalillo County’s top law enforcement official. Oversees and manages more than 400 employees.

We weren't able to meet with the following candidates, and so can't endorse in these statewide races. But here are some brief bios and links to their websites.

Your ballot will include nonpartisan judges without opponents who still need your approval to keep their seats. A judge is re-elected when she nails down 57 percent of the retention vote.

The Alibi endorses all bonds in 2010. Here's a quick rundown:

Diane Denish