There is less than a month before Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, and this year’s ballot will feature two contested local elections. Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the Board of Education, while seven candidates are running to fill three seats on the Township Council. We have 11 local candidates, making it more important than ever to have an informed opinion about each of them.Some people have cast their early votes by mail, so the process is already underway. But for the majority of residents who have not yet voted, we encourage you to pay attention to the candidates and the issues as we approach voting day, not simply focus on the best looking lawn signs. It is important to remember just how valuable each vote is in a local election; in recent years, less than 100 votes have made the difference in some of these races. So your vote, or lack thereof, will shape this town moving forward.That is all the more reason to make sure your votes are informed ones. We understand that people receive some of their information on social media, but please, take what you read there with a grain of salt. Approach what you see with a critical mind and source what you read; the internet can still be the Wild West, and if you do not separate fact from fiction yourself, nobody is going to do it for you.Consider the issues that matter most to you and find out where each candidate stands on them. Candidates have been submitting weekly written responses in the Tribune, and have participated in debates that are viewable online. Most, if not all, of our candidates have also made themselves available to residents, so you could ask them questions directly if you would prefer. Not every town has this much information widely available on their local candidates, and it is up to residents to take advantage of these tools.As we approach the finish line for these 11 campaigns, we are sure many residents have already landed on their preferred candidates and wish to share their thoughts on whom they feel will best fill the open seats. Well, now is the time to pass along your opinions to the Tribune.In the issues prior to Election Day (the last of which is the November 3 edition), we will publish endorsement letters we have received from residents in ...
