The winners in 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.

Here are some ways you can get to know those who want to work for you and make decisions on your behalf.

Candidate forums: On Sept. 27, the League of Women Voters will conduct 30-minute forums in the BKAT studio near the Kitsap County Fairgrounds for the following races: Kitsap County Fire District 18 (Poulsbo Fire) Position 3; Port of Illahee Commission District 2; Port of Manchester Commission District 3; West Sound Utility District Commission Position 2; North Perry Water District Commission Position 3; Kitsap County Sewer District (Bainbridge Island) Commission Position 2; Silverdale Water District Commission Position 3.

The League of Women Voters will sponsor and moderate the following candidate forums, in which you’ll have a chance to meet the candidates and ask questions.

Sept. 28, 6 p.m.: South Kitsap School Board Position 3, Port Orchard City Council Position 6, Port Orchard City Council At-Large. Location: Kitsap County Commissioners Chambers, 619 Division St., Port Orchard.

Oct. 3, 6 p.m.: Bremerton City Council districts 1, 3 and 5; mayor of Bremerton. Location: Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 Sixth St., Bremerton.

Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m.: Mayor of Poulsbo; North Kitsap School Board districts 1 and 3. Location: Poulsbo City Council Chambers, 200 Moe St., Poulsbo.

Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m.: Bainbridge City Council districts 3, 5 and 7. Location: Bainbridge City Council Chambers, 280 Madison Ave. North, Bainbridge Island.

Oct. 10, 6 p.m.: Central Kitsap School Board District 5; Port of Bremerton Commissioner District 1. Location: Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 Sixth St., Bremerton.

Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m.: Bainbridge Island School Board districts 2 and 5; Bainbridge Island Park and Recreation Commission District 5. Location: Bainbridge City Council Chambers, 280 Madison Ave. North, Bainbridge Island.

Candidate interviews: Kitsap News Group will conduct a series of interviews with candidates for mayor of Poulsbo, mayor of Bremerton, Bremerton City Council, Bainbridge City Council, Port Orchard City Council, and Bremerton Port Commission. The interviews will be streamed over Facebook and KitsapDailyNews.com. Dates: Sept. 25 and 29, and Oct. 2 and 6.

Voter guides: Kitsap News Group will publish a voters guide Oct. 13, the Friday before ballots are mailed out. The Kitsap County Auditor Elections Office will also publish a voters guide.

Letters to the editor: Be engaged and spark a community conversation by writing a letter to the editor. Turn the spotlight on an issue, present an idea, tell us why you prefer a specific candidate. Keep your letter to 300 words, keep it civil, and provide your name and contact information for verification purposes. Anonymous letters and form letters will not be published. Email your letter to rwalker@sound publishing.com.

Register to vote: Deadline is Oct. 9 for new Washington voters to register online or by mail, and for existing Washington voters to make address changes. Oct. 30 is the deadline for new Washington voters to register in person in the Elections Office, 619 Division St., Port Orchard. Members of the military who are new Washington voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 7.