It could be easy to dismiss the election this year.

There are no national names on our ballot. It’s just local city, school board and extension board members.

While it could be tempting to skip out or check out of this election cycle, it’s almost more important to participate.

Our national leaders are just that — in our nation’s capitol. They do make decisions that impact our daily lives, yet we are unlikely to run into those officials around town. On our streets. In our local stores.

Those who are running for mayor, city council or to be on a school board are individuals who live among us. They also are those who are most accessible to us as voters.

Think what they do doesn’t matter? Think again. These elected officials are also the ones who set the budget for our cities and schools.

They decide which streets are resurfaced. What happens to our water rates. If new infrastructure is warranted.

Those elected Nov. 4 will make decisions that directly affect our everyday life.

Also included in this newspaper is a discussion about the proposed sales tax. There are pros and cons for residents to weigh. A sales tax can help disperse the cost of upgrades for Ellsworth County. Visitors and out-of-towners could help pay for improvements, while possibly decreasing the tax burden for residents.

There are big decisions for voters to make this fall. Please take a moment to review the candidate Q&As listed in this week’s paper. In addition to Q&As this week, we will run additional answers in the Oct. 30 edition of the I-R. Karen Bonar Publisher