We've all heard of voter apathy, and likely at one point in our lives we've been guilty of it.

Or maybe you still are: semi-interested in what's going on in your country, province or city, but not interested in following politics.

Perhaps the drama-filled politics of the U.S. spark your interest, but when it comes to what local leaders are doing you tune out.

For those of us who take pride in our rights and freedoms to vote the above may sound astonishing, but depending on your generation, there are a shocking number of people who just don't care.

That's what creates voter apathy, and in turn sees this population void from the polls.

But this provincial election has brought about an unprecedented level of candidate apathy.

Across the Okanagan in various ridings, those who are running to represent our areas just aren't showing up.

It's evident in the election coverage within these news pages, where in some cases as little as one out of four candidates shows up at a political forum.

Various groups and organizations have put a lot of work into hosting all-candidate forums to give residents a chance to hear from those looking to represent them.

So it's disappointing to say the least when the candidates themselves don't even show up.

And it's not just important events they are missing out on, some candidates aren't even taking up the free opportunity to answer media questions and reach readers far and wide.

That is exactly the case for Vernon-Lumby, where only two of the four candidates running have responded to Morning Star requests to provide information about themselves to be printed in these pages and online for the readers.

Despite deadlines that these two failed to meet, or even acknowledge in one case, we still want to hear from these candidates. And we deserve to.

So in the name of democracy, we offer one last chance for Conservative Dennis Giesbrecht and Libertarian Robert Johnson to respond prior to the Oct. 19 election (Oct. 11 if you want to make it into print, otherwise we will share online at www.vernonmorningstar.com).

Unfortunately since they don't live in the Vernon-Lumby riding there is a chance they may not see this. It would be appreciated if their supporters could share with them.