The primary election is Aug. 16. Two contested North Kitsap races are on the primary ballot: Kingston Port Commission and North Kitsap School Board. The two top vote-getters in each race will advance to the Nov. 8 general election, which will feature candidates for 19 North Kitsap offices on it.

The Herald encourages candidate and public dialogue during the campaign. Here are some ways candidates and voters can be involved.

Candidate blogs: As part of our mission to engage and inform voters, candidates in the Aug. 16 primary election and the Nov. 8 general election have been invited to blog on NorthKitsapHerald.com. The blogs will be written by the candidate or the candidate’s designee, without editorial oversight by the newspaper.  Comments on candidate blogs will be managed by our staff according to our Terms of Use.

Letters to the editor: Residents are invited to write letters to the editor about candidates and local issues. Keep letters to 350 words to allow space for other views, and include your name, city of residence and phone number for verification purposes. Form letters and unsigned letters will not be published. Send letters to rwalker@northkitsapherald.com or write Editor Richard Walker, The Herald, P.O. Box 278, Poulsbo, WA. 98370.

Herald coverage: During the campaign, the Herald will publish profiles of the candidates, stories about the issues and what each candidate would do if elected, and candidate Q&As. The Herald will cover candidate forums. The Herald will conduct endorsement interviews with the candidates, and will publish its endorsements Aug. 5.

Voter-registration deadline is 29 days prior to an election. First-time voters and new residents of the state may register up to eight days prior to the election by appearing in person at the Kitsap County Auditor’s Elections Office. Voter registration forms are available online; at city halls, fire stations, libraries and schools; most state and federal offices; and at the county Elections Office, 619 Division St., Port Orchard.