Today marks exactly one month until an Election Day that will decide the future of Northeast Michigan, with numerous tax proposals and competitive primary races around the region.

For many seats on county and township boards and other positions around the region, only one party — mostly Republicans — has fielded candidates. That means the winners of many area primary races will run unopposed in November and win the seats so long as they earn at least one vote by Election Day.

In short, the Aug. 6 election is of vital importance to the direction of our communities. Voters will settle tax proposals that could decide the future of police patrols and the public library in Alpena County and roads maintenance and firefighting operations in numerous townships around the region. And voters will in many cases one month from today will decide who will represent them starting next year in numerous positions where policies and practices have a direct impact on the daily lives of the constituency.

Absentee voting is already underway, and days of early voting will be offered starting later this month.

We urge every Northeast Michigander to study up on the issues and candidates. Check out TheAlpenaNews.com starting today for a compilation of every candidate profile written by The News over the last two weeks. Visit Michigan.gov/vote for more information about the candidates and tax proposals you’ll face on your ballot, how to register to vote, and more.

Don’t delay your studies. Election Day will come before you know it, and you don’t want to cast an uninformed vote.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)