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Let's wake up a moment from our heat-induced midsummer daze and pay attention to the fact that the city of Tucson is holding an election. Soon. Early voting starts a month before the Sept. 11 primary election. The general election is Nov. 6.

Don't expect the fiery debate and snappy election rhetoric of the last city election when Democratic challengers Nina Trasoff and Karin Uhlich defeated Republican incumbents Fred Ronstadt and Kathleen Dunbar in 2005.

The seats of the mayor and council members in Wards 1, 2 and 4 are up for grabs; however, there are few contenders. The candidates filed their petitions last month, though the last day to file as a write-in for the primary election is Aug. 2.

Republican Mayor Bob Walkup will face the Green Party's Dave Croteau in the general election. Walkup has no Republican or Democratic opposition.

Current Ward 1 Democratic Councilman José Ibarra and Ward 5 member Steve Leal flirted with running for mayor. The coy, "maybe I'll run" teasing from viable contenders seemed to have left other D's hesitant to enter the race. Michael Toney has pitched his name as a write-in candidate.

The council will have new faces because Ibarra and Ward 2's Carol West, an Independent, are stepping aside. Ibarra told us he's ready to move on and West said she wants more time to spend with her grandchildren and to travel with her husband.

The Ward 1 seat will be decided in the Sept. 11 primary when Demo-crats Regina Romero and Kenneth Green face off. There are no Republican or other party candidates.

Ward 2 is a more of a contest. Democrats Rodney Glassman and Robert Reus are seeking West's seat. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Lori A. Oien.

Ward 4 incumbent Democratic Councilwoman Shirley C. Scott and Republican challenger Daniel L. Spahr have no party opposition. Their only contest will be in November.

All city voters decide who's on the council. In Tucson's unique — some call it wacky — system, the council candidates are selected by wards in the primary, but are elected citywide in the general election. Thus, even though voters may not live in, say, Ward 4, all city voters will be deciding who takes the seat.

An initiative from former state legislator John Kromko promises to shake up the election. Signatures for the "Tucson Water Users Bill of Rights," which would repeal the city's garbage pickup fee, were validated Thursday. Kromko's laundry-list initiative includes prohibiting unrelated charges to be placed on water bills and limiting new water connections if needed to preserve the supply to existing customers. The city ballot measure is unencumbered by the single-subject restriction on statewide efforts. It will face legal challenges.

Monsoon madness may make Tucsonans a bit lethargic. However, we encourage city voters to register or update their registrations before the end-of-summer busy season begins. Also, it's the perfect time to request early ballots.