Student Reporter John Dixon and Todd Argo. (Photo: Courtesy of John Dixon)

Todd Argo hopes he can be considered an intelligent, responsible voter. This 43-year-old elementary school science teacher is a registered Democrat in a heavily Republican state. He makes his voting decisions after gathering as much information as possible about each candidate prior to the conventions. He carefully reads the newspapers, and watches television news coverage and televised debates.

Armed with that knowledge, he discusses the key issues with friends, relatives, and colleagues to sort out what he thinks. Since he feels that the conventions should have some effect on how people vote, he will watch the national and local coverage of the conventions carefully for information on each candidate's position on the issues of most importance to him and his family. Jobs, health care, and education top his list this election year.

Argo has become tired of the negative campaign commercials where one candidate downgrades another. He wishes they would stick to the issues. He feels that local news coverage is important because it is usually geared to examine the events and issues at the local level.