With Election Day less than a month away, campaigning for various seats on school boards, village and city councils, and township trustees is in full swing.

More than 100 candidates have filed for those various races in hopes of winning. Each candidate has a message or platform that he or she wants to convey to the prospective constituency in hopes of receiving enough votes to be elected.

However, during the course of an election season, it is not a one-way street. Although the candidates want to present the reasons they should be voted into office, the voters need to take an active role as well.

This means going to candidate forums or debates, gathering information independently and speaking with candidates directly. This will provide useful information that will help citizens make decisions on Election Day.

These elections will have a significant impact on the future of each village, city, township, and Lawrence County as a whole.

We encourage every eligible person in Lawrence County to do his or her civic duty and vote on Nov. 5.

It is ultimately your votes that decide who leads our communities for years to come.