To the editor:

Primary elections are fast approaching, and it’s vital to make your voice heard especially since some primaries will be the deciding election for those candidates who have no challengers from the opposing party.

House Bill 2210 changed the deadline to switch your party affiliation from up to 14 days before the primary to by the candidate filing deadline, June 1. The law went into effect on Tuesday.

If you haven’t declared a party affiliation you may do so when you go to the polls on Aug. 5, but those who’ve already declared cannot have a change of heart between now and Election Day. New voters can register until July 15 to vote in the primary.

Those who are registered to vote in the primary elections shouldn’t take that for granted. For Democrats, your primary vote will decide who the next Douglas County commissioner is. For Republicans, your primary vote will fill the Kansas House seat for District 45. For the other local primary races, you have the option of choosing the strongest candidate from your party to face a challenger in the general elections.

The right to vote is often only considered important in terms of the “big” races, but the local leaders you elect more directly affect you and your family. Take every election seriously and vote in the primaries on Aug. 5.