All told, 101 candidates filed for 64 offices countywide during the filing period May 15-19.

To each candidate, we congratulate you for stepping forward. Win or lose in November, you will have raised issues, proposed solutions and promoted community dialogue. The community, by virtue of your involvement, can benefit from what you contribute.

The primary election is Aug. 1; the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.

The winners of the Nov. 7 general election will make decisions on your behalf and will determine how to spend your tax dollars on city services, education, fire and emergency medical response, parks, ports (including economic development and protection of our marine environment), utilities, and water service.

Kitsap News Group will produce voter guides before the elections. Look for profiles and stories about the candidates in this newspaper and on KitsapDailyNews.com.

Meanwhile, here are some things you need to know

Voter registration: July 3 is the deadline for new Washington voters to register online or by mail, and for existing Washington voters to make address changes.

July 24 is the deadline for new Washington voters to register in person in the Kitsap County Auditor Elections office in Port Orchard.

Members of the military who are new Washington voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 1, to register.

Forums: This newspaper and KitsapDailyNews.com will publish notices of upcoming candidate forums, and will report on those forums.

Letters to the editor: This newspaper and KitsapDailyNews.com will publish letters to the editor about the candidates and issues. Email to rwalker@soundpublishing.com Keep your letter to 300 words and include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes. Form letters will not be published.

Questions? Email rwalker@soundpublishing.com.