Election season is already upon us. In the Tuesday, Aug. 18, primary election, Snoqualmie Valley voters get their say on races, including a three-way race between Scott Hodgins, Geoff Doy and Paul Houldridge for Snoqualmie Valley School District’s open district 1 seat, and a seven-person King County Executive slate.

These races don’t have the high drama of a presidential or gubernatorial race. But local races will likely have a greater direct affect on your life than those marquee elections.

The school board helps determine how to spend your tax dollars — even if you don’t have a child in a Valley school, the race for District 1 affects you.

Furthermore, your vote will pack a bigger punch in the upcoming elections. Fewer people tend to vote in local races, and still fewer people tend to vote in primaries. Fewer total votes means each individual vote has a greater chance to swing an election.

This will be the second election that King County has conducted solely by mail, and registered voters should already have their primary ballots in hand.

While some may lament the loss of in-person polling places, the all-mail switch is a fact. In recent weeks, the King County Elections office sent out nearly 1.1 million ballots to mailboxes throughout the county.

Ballots must be returned to King County Elections or postmarked by election day, Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Voters are also reminded to take the time to correctly sign their ballot envelope.

This week, exercise your rights as an American and a voter on important local races that affect our schools, homes, local businesses and county management. Remember to cast your ballot properly and on time. Make sure your voice is heard — vote.

• Contact Valley Record Publisher William Shaw at wshaw@valleyrecord.com or call (425) 888-2311.