On Nov. 7, the people of Island County will cast their vote for prosecutor.

It’s a given that both candidates for the position, Republican Steve Selby and Democrat and current Island County prosecutor Greg Banks, will vote.

But the candidates’ voting records show that they have very different voting philosophies.

While Banks voted on nearly every issue that has been before voters in recent years, Selby’s voting record shows a focus on major elections. He did not vote on a number of local school issues in his home district in Coupeville — even though he has two children in public schools.

Selby’s voting record has since become an issue in a closely watched race.

Selby, however, said his voting record has nothing to do with his abilities and qualifications to be a good prosecutor.

“If your car needs work, do you want somebody who is a good mechanic, or do you want a guy off the street just because he voted?” Selby asked.

“It is the right of every voting American citizen to vote according to his or her conscience. In issues that I don’t have strong feelings about, I feel it is appropriate to let those who do, decide the outcome,” he said.

Selby said the voting issue, which has found its way into letters to local newspapers and fliers on bulletin boards, seems to be part of the campaign against him.

“However, the decisions I make when voting are protected by the Constitution of the United States and may not be used by an opponent who only wants to use it as a fodder for his personal campaign,” Selby said.

Selby lives within the Coupeville School District, and he voted in the 2004 General Election, 2002 General Election, 2001 General Election, 2000 General Election, and 2000 Primary Election, according to the county auditor’s office.

He did not vote on the Coupeville School District M&O Levy in February 2006, the November election that included I-900, I-901, I-912, I-330, I-336 and candidates for the Coupeville School Board, the September 2005 election for the Coupeville School Board, the primary race for governor and attorney general in September 2004, as well as the levy election for Fire Protection District 5, or the May 2004 election for the Coupeville Schools Facilities Improvement Bond.

He also didn’t vote in the November 2003 election for the Coupeville School Board and hospital district, and did not vote in the November 2003 Republican Congressional Primary, the Whidbey General Hospital levy in September 2002, the Coupeville Schools M&O Levy in February 2002, the countywide transit election in May 2000, the presidential primary in February 2000, or the election in November 1999 that included I-695 and the Coupeville School Board.

Banks said he views voting as one of his civic responsibilities. But he said it’s also his duty to the people he represents in Island County.

“It would be hypocritical of me not to vote at every opportunity, since it is only from the votes of my fellow citizens that I am permitted to hold this office. I think voting goes hand in hand with a love of the law,” Banks said.

Banks who lives in the South Whidbey School District voted in the South Whidbey School District levy in February 2006, the 2005 General Election, the 2004 General Election, the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District levy in February 2004, the 2003 General Election, the Sno-Isle Library levy in February 2003, the 2002 General Election, the 2002 Primary Election, the South Whidbey School District levy in February 2002, the 2001 General Election, the 2000 General Election, the Island Transit sales tax levy in May 2000, the South Whidbey School District levy in April 2000, the 2000 Presidential Preference Primary and the 2000 Primary Election and 1999 General Election.

The reason why Selby did not vote in some of the elections is because he either had no direct interest in the issues or did not have enough information to make an informed decision, he said.

“It’s not good to vote if you don’t know. It’s irresponsible,” Selby said.

Banks said voting has always been a part of his life.

“I have cast a ballot in every election in which I was eligible since I was 18, because everything that is important enough to appear on a ballot affects me, my family and my community,” Banks said.

“Local issues, like school or hospital levies, interest me just as much as presidential elections. In many ways, the local votes have more impact on my day-to-day life, especially since I have kids in the public schools,” Banks added.

“Appreciating the privilege to vote is deeply ingrained in me. I can still hear the voice of my elementary school principal, Mr. Garland, talking over the P.A. system, saying ‘With freedom, goes responsibility.’ If you don’t take responsibility, you will lose your freedom,” he said.

Michaela Marx Wheatley can be reached at 221-5300 or mmarxwheatley@southwhidbey

record.com.