The general election is Nov. 5. Deadline for mail and online voter registrations, updates and changes is 29 days before the election. Deadline for new Washington state voter registrations is eight days before the election. Ballots will be mailed by Oct. 18, according to the Kitsap County Auditor Elections Division. Go to www.kitsapgov.com/aud/elections/voterreg.htm for more information.

This election is ushering in change before the final ballots are cast. There will be new members of the North Kitsap School Board from District 1 and District 3. There will be two new members of the three-member Indianola Port Commission and, for the first time in at least 15 years, there are two candidates for each position. The Port of Kingston will have a new commissioner from District 1.

This election is bringing forth new voices, new views and new ideas.  Get to know the candidates. Your vote will empower them to make decisions on your behalf.

Here’s the Herald’s schedule of candidate profiles and other stories.

— Sept. 13: Port of Indianola, District 2 candidate Eric Cookson and write-in candidate Matthew Smith (www.smith4ipc.blogspot.com); Port of Indianola, District 3 candidates Patrick Hatchel and John Lane.

— Sept. 20: Local ballot initiatives — Continuation of EMS levy in Kitsap County Fire Protection District No. 18 (Poulsbo Fire Department); continuation of EMS levy for North Kitsap Fire & Rescue; increase of property tax levy to a maximum of 22 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in the Indianola Port District to pay the costs of improving the Indianola dock.

— Sept. 27: Port of Kingston, District 1 candidates Bruce MacIntyre (www.mac4kingston.com) and Nels Sultan (www.sites.google.com/site/nels4port).

— Oct. 4: Poulsbo City Council, Position 7 candidates Melody Eisler (www.facebook.com/vote4melody) and Jim Henry.

— Oct. 11: North Kitsap School Board, District 1 candidates Steve Hancock (www.facebook.com/Hancock4NKSB) and Cindy Webster-Martinson.

— Oct. 18: North Kitsap School Board, District 3 candidates Doug Prichard (www.dougprichard.org) and Beth Worthington (www.bethworthington728.wordpress.com).

— Oct. 25: North Kitsap Herald endorsements.

— Nov. 1: Interview with Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson on priorities and challenges of the next four years.

The North Kitsap Herald will present a candidates forum Sept. 17, 7 p.m. in the Indianola Clubhouse for candidates for Indianola Port Commission.

The League of Women Voters of Kitsap County has scheduled a candidates forum Oct. 7, 6-7 p.m., at Poulsbo City Hall for candidates for City Council and Mayor. A forum for candidates of the North Kitsap School Board will follow from 7:15-8:15 p.m.