Ah, fall is in the air — the leaves are changing, there’s a crispness to the mornings, rain is slowly returning and ballots will soon appear in mailboxes across the county.

That’s right. Fall is more than changing leaves, crisp weather and the time to unfold those sweaters. It is the time to become an informed voter and cast ballots regarding important funding decisions and for positions on local boards. The Nov. 7 general election is coming up, and this year, two seats on each of the island’s major boards — school, park and fire — are up for election, and the fire department is bringing a proposed levy increase to voters. Voter’s pamphlets will be mailed on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and ballots will be sent out the following day.

Until then, voters should become informed and find out who they want to represent them. There will be two public forums to allow islanders to do just that. Tonight, Wednesday, candidates for the park and school boards will answer questions from the public at 7 p.m. at the Land trust building. Next Wednesday, Oct. 11, Vashon Island Fire & Rescue board candidates will take the floor along with islanders who are both for and against the levy and Chief Charlie Krimmert. The public can ask questions of the candidates and also find out about the proposed levy increase that would change the levy from the current rate of 93 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value to $1.50 per $1,000.

It’s all about becoming an educated voter — one who takes the time to get to know the ins and outs of the candidates, the policies and the issues surrounding the election, regardless of how complicated they may be. Use the tools at your disposal — newspapers, public forums, voters pamphlets and candidate contact information available on the county’s election website.

Being aware of candidate statements and explanations of proposed policies allows voters to not only cast ballots knowledgeably, but also allows for oversight down the line. We as a society not only choose our leaders and laws by voting, but also have a responsibility to keep them in check and make sure that what is being said is being done.

Events such as the upcoming forums are one of the easiest ways to find out where potential leaders stand. The debates will be available on the radio, TV and in-person. The entire community is welcome and encouraged to ask questions.