Those unwanted text messages for everything from special sales to dating services could soon be a thing of the past.

“Hi, I’m Rachel from card member services.”

“Hi, I’m Rachel from card member services.”

The way state lawmakers figure it, it's annoying enough to get an unwanted text message.

Gov. Jan Brewer took $250,000 for her political action committee from a Las Vegas hotel owner and billionaire a day after she would have had to report it in time for voters last month to know about it.

Some Valley residents may have received phone calls over the weekend that contained the incorrect information about polling places for Election Day.

PHOENIX — Candidates in Arizona's close U.S. Senate race put the finishing touches on their campaigns Monday as GOP congressman Jeff Flake crisscrossed the state and as former surgeon general Richard Carmona ramped up get-out-the-vote efforts in his attempt to become the state's first Hispanic U.S. senator.

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

“Tired of the war between Flake and Cardon. They’re both RINOs anyway. I will not vote for either of them.”

How to stop political robo calls: Vote for the opponent. My home has been invaded by an avalanche of automated calls asking for my vote for a variety of political candidates. I am on the national “Do Not Call” list (unbelievably, political calls are exempt from this law), pay for an unlisted phone number, and only use this phone for family emergencies (so I cannot shut it off).

FLORENCE -- Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu built a reputation as a rising, conservative star by taking a hardline stance against illegal immigration, attacking the Obama administration and appearing alongside Sen. John McCain in a 2010 re-election ad in which McCain urged federal officials to just "complete the danged fence."

Arizona's Legislature is back in session. Before the first week had even finished, hundreds of bills had been "dropped" into the hopper, several which I find telling of the political atmosphere here in Arizona. Unfortunately, several of these bills reflect how our current Legislature has lost touch with reason and demonstrate a sense of political entitlement that has and will continue to harm our state. Clearly, they have learned absolutely nothing from the message Arizona voters sent in the 2011 elections.

Arizona's legislature is back in session. Before the first week had even finished, hundreds of bills had been "dropped" into the hopper, several which I find telling of the political atmosphere here in Arizona. Unfortunately, several of these bills reflect how our current legislature has lost touch with reason and demonstrate a sense of political entitlement that has and will continue to harm our state. Clearly, they have learned absolutely nothing from the message Arizona voters sent in the 2011 elections.

“Now that the election is over, can I have my phone back? I want to robo-call some politicians to respond to their robo-calls over the past three months.”

WASHINGTON — On the surface, a judge's decision to block tough provisions of Arizona's immigration law was a defeat for the state's Republican governor and a win for the Democratic Obama administration. But neither party is sure it will play out that way politically, either this fall or beyond.

BOSTON — Two veteran state politicians won their parties' nominations Tuesday amid light turnout that followed a low-key campaign to fill the high-profile Senate seat held by the late Edward M. Kennedy.

WASHINGTON -- Casting its first votes on revamping the nation's health care system, the Senate rejected a Republican bid Thursday to stave off Medicare cuts and approved safeguards for coverage of mammograms and other preventive tests for women. The first round of votes ended with a fragile Democratic coalition hanging together.

The Gilbert political scene is in a post-election lull since the March 10 primary. Residents are mulling the ramifications of the defeat of longtime Mayor Steve Berman, and candidates in the May 19 runoff are gathering strength and funding for the battle.

We’re a week out from our Town Council and mayoral election, so I’d like to pass along this handy voting guide for you. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of each candidate. Take it with you into the voting booth if you’d like.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

And now, we all can rest.

On the day after, we can all rest.