With less than a month until the Nov. 4 general election, there’s not a great deal of time remaining for voters to familiarize themselves with the numerous issues and candidates on the ballot.

In addition to the statewide races for governor, U.S. senate, attorney general, secretary of state and U.S. representative, there are regional candidates for state house and senate on the ballot and there are several candidates running for local offices, including school boards, township offices and the Marquette County Board.

Alger and Marquette counties have township millage issues, including a countywide proposal in Marquette County to create and staff a county Veterans Affairs Department.

We think these are important issues and races to be decided by informed voters, with the results of the election having lasting implications for the future.

We encourage voters to vote, especially in this off presidential election year when many voters decide to stay home. We also encourage voters to begin now, if you haven’t already, to start educating yourself on the ballot proposals and candidates representing you.

From road funding to school operating millage to electing officials to represent your interests, there is a great deal at stake in the voting booth.

As we did for the August primary elections, The Mining Journal will publish a series of election stories later this month covering many of the local general election candidate races and ballot issues. Those stories will allow voters to hear from the candidates themselves about their backgrounds and their priorities should they be elected to office.

The series will also detail the ballot proposals appearing on the ballot.

In addition to our series, there are candidate forums being held in the local area, which are another great opportunity to hear from the candidates and to actually meet them in person. Websites and articles in a range of publications will also help voters become informed.

The time is now to learn what’s happening before election day is upon us. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. election day.