It’s quickly approaching.

With the Sept. 9 primary election just more than three weeks away and the general election Nov. 4, we encourage our readers to not only go out and vote, but also to learn as much as possible about the candidates and the issues between now and then.

Our local races include mayor, the city council at-large seat and District 1 county commissioner, and we’re fortunate that each position features several choices.

So now is your time to speak up.

If you don’t like how things are getting done or if you feel the incumbents deserve another term, here’s your chance to vote and make your opinion known.

Our staff will once again provide detailed information on all of the candidates and cover the elections in our print editions and on line.

In addition, the Austin Area League of Women Voters will host a primary forum Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at the city chambers, a nice chance to learn more about the issues and to meet the candidates.

We’ve all heard people say that one vote never makes a difference, but we disagree.

Some small-town Minnesota elections have been decided by less than a dozen votes, and the last two presidential races have been unusually close.

Your vote does matter and keeping informed about the candidates and the issues is an important part of that process.