In today’s Daily Freeman-Journal you will find biographies of the three candidates seeking the position of Hamilton County Treasurer.

In addition to their brief biographies, you will also find questions and answers crafted specifically for this office.

Why all the attention?

Well, for one, it’s the only locally contested race in the upcoming November election.

And, two, our governor, Kim Reynolds, began her political career as a county treasurer. Whether you agree with our governor or not, it should be sufficient for voters to understand that even the office of county treasurer can be a springboard to a higher political office.

Or not.

The three local candidates — Ann McLaughlin, Mike Myers and Matt Matteson — profess to have no higher aspirations than to serve this constituency with honor.

I believe them.

Now you can read in their own words what they have to say about their individual candidacies. They are all immensely qualified and, from my perspective, could serve this county well.

But this choice is not simply up to me.

It is up to all of you.

As you vote, think of what you want for this county, this community, your neighbors, and yourself.

As you are thinking of voting, make a note of what is now available to you. This is according to the Hamilton County Assessor’s Office:

In-person absentee voting in the Hamilton County Auditor’s Office at the Hamilton County Courthouse, 2300 Superior St., Webster City, has begun. You can vote during the regular office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The last day to cast an absentee ballot at the auditor’s office is Monday, Nov. 7, by 4:30 p.m.

The Hamilton County Auditor’s Office will be open on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 to 5 p.m. for absentee voting.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed has passed.

Voted ballots returned through the mail must be received in the auditor’s office by close of polls on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8 by 8 p.m.

So, there you have it.

We are so fortunate to get to vote for our choice. And that is what you need to do either before or on Nov. 8.

Why?

Because a county treasurer isn’t going to make laws or create great initiatives that can or will affect all of us.

And yet, think in a way that perhaps they can.

Because, sometimes, they do.

Jane Curtis is interim editor of the Daily Freeman-Journal.