As we move into this year's Newton County election, it is important for the voters of this county to begin thinking about the biggest issues that face our county and the candidates that are best equipped to take on those issues.

No other county-wide race is more important in 2008 than the contest for sheriff. With current sheriff Joe Nichols retiring, the field is wide open to the six candidates vying for the job - two Democrats and four Republicans.

In conjunction with this political season, we here at the News want to give our readers a chance to speak their minds with our online reader's polls.

Each Sunday a new poll will appear on the homepage of our Web site, www.covnews.com. We want our readers to go online, vote their opinion and then look in the next Sunday's issue for the final results.

We know most of these polls are not going to be scientific by any stretch of the imagination, but they the people of Newton County the opportunity to speak their minds and see how their thoughts compare with the rest of the county.

This week's poll question concerns the 2008 sheriff's race. What candidate would you cast your ballot for if you had to vote today for sheriff?

All six candidates will appear on the poll - despite party affiliation.