The candidate filing period for the 2013 election is next week.

All told, 83 positions in 40 municipalities and governing districts are on the ballot in Kitsap County this year. North Kitsap residents will vote on 21 of those positions:

— City of Poulsbo: Mayor and council positions 5, 6 and 7.
— North Kitsap School Board: Districts 1 and 3.
— Kitsap County Fire Protection District 18 (Poulsbo Fire): Positions 2 and 5.
— North Kitsap Fire and Rescue: Position 2.
— Port of Eglon: District 1.
— Port of Indianola: Districts 2 and 3.
— Port of Keyport: Position 1.
— Port of Kingston: District 1.
— Port of Poulsbo: Positions 1 and 2.
— Old Bangor Water District No. 19: Positions 1, 2 and 3.
— Village Green Metropolitan Park District: Positions 2 and 5.

An encounter with a candidate is like a job interview. Each candidate is vying for the opportunity to work for you, to represent you when making decisions, to represent you in how your tax dollars are spent.

Get to know these candidates (and if you think you can make a difference in the community, consider becoming a candidate; you have until May 17 to decide). The winners will have the authority and power to make decisions that affect the delivery of services in the city, the classroom, the fire station, the port, in your tap, and on the playground.

The primary election is Aug. 6. The general election is Nov. 5.

To register to vote in the primary, you must be:
— A citizen of the United States.
— A legal resident of the state of Washington.
— 18 years of age by the next election.
— Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction.
— Not disqualified from voting due to a court order.

In Washington, you do not have to register by political party to vote in the state’s primary or general elections.

You have until 29 days before an election to register to vote, and update or change your registration. New residents of Washington can register up to eight days before an election.Registration deadlines do not apply to military and overseas voters who may register through Election Day.

For more information, or to register online, go to www.kitsapgov.com/aud/elections.htm. Or call (360) 337-7129.