Ballots are in the mail. Soon, you’ll help decide which two candidates advance to the general election in 18 federal, state and local races. Visit https://wa.liveballot.com/kitsap for the online voters guide.

North Kitsap races on the Aug. 7 primary ballot: 6th Congressional District representative; 1st Congressional District representative (one-month term); 23rd Legislative District representative, Position 2; Supreme Court justice, positions 2, 8 and 9; Court of Appeals Division 2, District 2, Position 2; and Superior Court judge, Position 7.

You should receive your ballot in the mail by today. If you don’t, call the Kitsap County Elections Office for a replacement ballot: (360) 337-7128. Your ballot must be postmarked by Aug. 7. In North Kitsap, you can also drop your ballot in a drop box at Poulsbo Fire Station, 911 N.E. Liberty Road, Poulsbo. All told, Kitsap County Elections is providing six 24-hour ballot drop boxes throughout the county. Visit www.kitsapgov.com/aud/elections/ballot_deposit.htm for locations.

Some things you should know about this election:
— The two top vote-getters in the primary, regardless of political party, will advance to the Nov. 6 general election.   
— The office of Kitsap County Superior Court judge, Position 7, may be decided in the primary if a candidate receives more than 50 percent of all votes cast in that contest. 
— Only precinct committee officer races that are contested will be on the ballot this year, and all of those contests will be decided in the primary.
— You will vote for representatives from the 1st and 6th Congressional districts. The 1st District winner will serve the rest of the term vacated by Jay Inslee, who is running for governor; that term ends Jan. 3. Also effective Jan. 3: Kitsap County becomes part of the 6th District because of reapportionment; we will elect a representative for the term ending Jan. 3, 2015.
— There are four candidates for County Commissioner, District 2. Voters in that district will select two candidates to advance to the general election. In the general, all voters countywide will vote for District 2 commissioner. 
— BKAT public access TV Channel 12 is broadcasting the candidates forums presented earlier this month by the League of Women Voters. Today, watch the judges candidates forum at 9 a.m.; the Legislative District 23 candidates forum at 2 p.m. On Saturday, watch the County Commission District 2 candidates forum at 11 a.m.          
— There are approximately 146,000 registered voters in Kitsap County, according to Kitsap County Elections. The county auditor predicts a voter turnout of 50 percent.

All candidates on the ballot want to make decisions on your behalf. They want to decide how your tax dollars are best spent. And in some cases, the privilege of representing you will come with compensation and full health benefits — better than many of their potential constituents receive.

The bottom line: Elected officials work for you. Make a difference in the primary and general elections. Vote.