With Election Day just weeks away, one presidential debate down and two more to go, many voters have grown weary of campaign season, and understandably so.

You may have already made up your mind on national and state candidates, but it’s time to pay attention to local races.

One of this year’s most highly contested races is for the local school board. Nine candidates are vying for three available seats on the Park County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees.

Voters with children attending local schools will want to pay careful attention to each candidate and his or her views. But whether you have children in local schools or not, it’s an important race. Most of your property tax dollars go toward local schools, and K-12 education plays a vital role in this community and its future.

The same is true with Northwest College. A Powell seat is open on the NWC Board of Trustees, along with seats for the Cody and Meeteetse district. Each race is contested. The elected board members will help make important decisions for the college’s future. Foremost among them: Choosing the next NWC president.

To help voters get to know candidates in these important local races for NWC and the school board, the Tribune is co-sponsoring two forums with the Northwest College radio and television stations.

NWC candidates will take questions Wednesday, Oct. 10 during a forum that begins at 7 p.m. in Room 70 of the Fagerberg Building on campus.

Next week, Powell school board candidates will field queries in a Thursday, Oct. 18 forum beginning at 7 p.m. at the DeWitt Student Center at NWC.

In the weeks ahead, you have opportunities to meet face to face with local candidates and learn more about why they’re running.

We’re glad voters have choices in these education races. Now it’s up to you, as voters, to take time to consider candidates and show up on Nov. 6 to cast your ballot.

Your vote matters, especially at the local level.