Are you interested in this year's elections? Know your community? Like to talk politics with your friends, colleagues and neighbors? Want an opportunity to blog about your observations?

Apply to join a grass-roots campaign coverage effort by The Seattle Times. We want fresh thoughts and perspectives about the elections from places and people not often found in newspapers — your neighbors, your favorite cafes and other local hangouts.

We're looking for contributors 35 and younger who are following the '04 campaigns — national, regional and local. Each participant will be given a blog on seattletimes.com and periodically appear in The Seattle Times.

This is not a soapbox for your political agenda, a training ground for wannabe journalists or a platform for spin. It's a chance to let others know how the campaigns are playing out in your backyard.

We're looking for volunteers from around the state and across the political spectrum. There's no pay involved; only a chance to make the voice of your community heard.

The Seattle Times controls all content of our Backyard Blog project. We reserve the right to delete any material or deny access to any contributor. Fill out the application below to get involved.