Elections at the county and state level are approaching quickly with a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the candidates and on the members of the community.

Just in the past few weeks there have been forums for the circuit court clerk posts in both Buckingham and Cumberland counties, a public hearing for the Lockett District School Board seat for Prince Edward County Public Schools and announcements to run for the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors from Gene Southall and Dr. Peter Gur.

Just as active are forums and public meetings for the candidates of the 5th Congressional District. Denver Riggleman and Leslie Cockburn recently participated in a debate held at the University of Virginia. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and candidates Corey Stewart and Matt Waters are also on the ballot.

Casting a vote has the power to influence how counties and the state respond to issues such as economic development, health care and the public school system.

This is a quick reminder that the deadline to register to vote via mail, online and in person at one’s local registrar’s office is Monday, Oct. 15. The process to register to vote can take just a few minutes. More information can be found at www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/how-to-register/, or by contacting the Prince Edward County Registrar’s Office at (434) 392-4767, the Cumberland County Registrar’s Office at (804) 492-4504 and the Buckingham County Registrar’s Office at (434) 969-4304.

Even if you’ve already registered, it’s important to update your information prior to Oct. 15 if you’ve moved or changed addresses.

Let’s take steps to be the change we want to see in our local and state governments. Let’s register to vote.

EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH is a staff reporter for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Emily.Hollingsworth@ FarmvilleHerald.com.