Voting for next Tuesday’s general election is actually already underway.

As always, there are many important matters on the ballot this year. Nationwide, the races on next week’s ballot will decide which party will control Congress. Here in Iowa, we will pick a governor, attorney general, secretary of agriculture, auditor, treasurer and secretary of state in addition to selecting all 100 members of the state House of Representatives and half of the state senators. Closer to home in Webster County, two seats on the Board of Supervisors will be filled. Voters in Calhoun and Pocahontas counties will decide if they want to pay a little bit more in taxes to support emergency medical services.

It is our civic duty to vote, and there are many options to ensure everyone can cast a ballot.

One option is to head to the polls now and take part in early voting. Here in Webster County, early voting is underway at the Webster County Courthouse. Early voting will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the courthouse. Reisdents of surrounding counties who want to vote early should contact their county auditor’s office to find out how to do so.

You also can request a ballot and vote by mail, but know that all absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday in order to be counted. And, yes, you can take part in the traditional Election Day trip to your polling place to vote.

If you are reading this, you understand the importance of this election and every election. Perhaps you have voted already. But what about others you know, perhaps even in your own family or circle of friends? Are they as engaged as you are?

Let’s all get out and vote this year.