Get ready now to cast your Nov. 5 vote

With the primary and filing deadlines behind us, we now know what the local section of the Dodge County and Byron general election ballots will look like.
Dodge County’s commissioner races see the current office-holders up for election all running unopposed.
At the city council and school board level there are a number of contested races where multiple candidates are seeking to be elected.
The most contested of these races involve the Byron and Kasson-Mantorville school boards.
Four seats on the Byron school board are up for election. Six candidates have filed for the four seats.
Byron voters will also see a levy referendum on their ballot. The referendum asks voter to approve a tax levy of $800 per pupil that will be paid for by a property tax increase.
Four K-M board seats are up for election. Five candidates have filed.
Among the other local contested races are: two candidates seeking the mayoral position in Claremont, three running for two Dodge Center city council spots, four running for two seats on the Hayfield city council and three vying for two seats on the West Concord council.
Those who decide to run for office deserve our respect and gratitude. They know the job will not be easy. The pay is not great, the hours are long, and no matter what they try to do someone will not be happy.
Anyone who decides to run for office deserves our respect and gratitude. These folks know they aren’t competing for a cushy job. The pay is lousy, the hours are long, and no matter how hard they try, they won’t make everyone happy. But still they are willing to put in the effort.
Likewise, voters need to be willing to put in the effort. The effort to learn about the issues, the candidates and where they stand on those issues.
Candidates step up to make a difference, to make their communities better places to live and work. As voters, it’s important that we match their effort. There are only 74 more days to become informed and make a decision. It’s time to get busy.
One way is to read the DCI. We will work to provide you with information on the candidates and the issues and to hear from those candidates in their own words.
Letters to the editor can also be informative. For one thing you will learn what your friends and neighbors are thinking. If you agree, write a letter explaining why, and if you disagree, also write a letter.
Also, look for opportunities to meet the candidates face-to-face. Often there are forums where the candidates discuss the issues. And you can ask questions directly.
The thing about local elections is they offer the clearest opportunity to see how important every vote is. It’s not that unusual for a candidate to win or lose by a couple of votes. Or an issue to be voted up or down by a narrow margin.