The 2024 race for president of the United States has gotten extensive media coverage in newspapers and through television and online news outlets. With so many stories and shows focusing on the battle between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, Americans have numerous opportunities to learn about the candidates and where they stand on key issues. But here in Northeast Ohio, we are less certain about how much energy that voters have put into researching local candidates and issues that are featured on the Nov. 5 ballot. Where Harris and Trump each stand on key issues Clearly, the 2024 presidential election involves a heated clash between Harris and Trump, and likely has generated the most excitement among voters this summer and fall. But we also hope that folks in Northeast Ohio who are casting ballots in the Nov. 5 election have become knowledgeable about candidate races and levy issues in their counties and hometowns. These local races and ballot questions can have a significant impact on how tax dollars are spent; the type of leaders who will head government offices; and the ability of entities such as police and fire departments to provide the quality of service that their residents expect. If you want examples, consider some of the decisions that voters in Lake County will make in the Nov. 5 election: • There are two contested races for Lake County commissioner. Incumbent Commissioner Richard Regovich, a Republican, is running against Democratic challenger Adam Dudziak. The other race will ensure that a new commissioner is seated in January, regardless of who wins. That matchup features Republican Morris Beverage III squaring off with Democrat Jean Sency. Beverage defeated incumbent Commissioner John Hamercheck in the March 19 primary election. Sency, who currently serves as a Madison School Board member, ran unopposed in the Democratic commissioner primary. • Lake County voters also will elect a new clerk of courts. In this race, Republican Carl DiFranco is running against Democrat Beth Knezevich. DiFranco triumphed over incumbent county Clerk of Courts Faith Andrews in the March 19 Republican primary. Knezevich ran unopposed in the primary on the Democratic ticket. When it comes to issues, county voters are asked to renew the Lake County ADAMHS District levy. Voters in Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Concord Township, Leroy Township and Perry Township all will be asked to approve levy requests. Voters in Mentor-on-the-Lake and Willoughby will consider charter amendments, while voters in Mentor will decide zoning issues. And across Ohio, voters will consider Issue 1, a constitutional amendment to create an appointed redistricting commission. Clearly, voters in Lake County and other Northeast Ohio communities have some important choices to make in the Nov. 5 election. For people who have voted early, their job is already done. But for anyone who still needs to do their homework for the upcoming election, The News-Herald has some ideas on how to get started. First, check out the elections board website in your county to find out the candidate races and levy issues for which you’ll be able to vote. The News-Herald is featuring preview stories on contested candidate races, as well as ballot issues, leading up the election. Then, go back on the internet and find the candidates website or Facebook page. These are good places to check out each candidate’s platform and see how it conforms to your preferences. Also, keep an eye on your mailboxes and doorsteps this fall to see if candidates produce any brochures, fliers or other printed material on what they’ll do if elected. When it comes to levies, do the same kind of careful research that goes into selecting candidates. Become familiar with the ballot question and see how it will affect your budget or other facets of your life. Do your homework and make it a point to vote in the Nov. 5 election. These are duties that every voter should take seriously and carry out faithfully.