Well, folks, guess what: I’ve already voted in the 2014 election.

I expect I’ll be busy on election day, November 4, and there are few real contests among statewide office holders, so why not?

That said, the down-ticket contests could be crucial to local districts, which makes it important to get out and vote!

In Grand Isle, for example, the hottest contest is for State’s Attorney. In the primary, Doug DiSabito, who has not held public office before, captured both the Republican and Democratic nominations, defeating long-time incumbent David Miller. Miller is running a spirited (one local observer called both campaigns “aggressive”) write-in campaign. It is noteworthy that in the primary election, 23 percent of eligible voters in Grand Isle cast ballots, one of the highest rates in the state for this year’s mostly lackluster primary.

In Franklin County, the major contest is in St Albans City. Incumbent Democrat Mike McCarthy is facing a serious challenge from Republican Corey Parent. In 2012 McCathy eked out a 15-vote win in a recount over Republican Casey Toof.

In the Franklin County state Senate races, newcomer Dr. Bill Roberts, a pain management specialist who also works with opiate addicts, and former Senator Sara Brannon Kittell are running against incumbent GOP Senator Norm McAllister and former state Rep. Dustin Degree. In 2012, Degree lost his bid for a senate seat by 35 votes in a recount.

Yeah, Franklin County was recount central two years ago.

With contests as close as these, you gotta know that your vote counts, that it matters!

The basics on voting NOW:

1. Go to your town or city clerk’s office during regular office hours and request an early/absentee ballot. OR download a “Request for Early Absentee Voter Ballot” form. Fill it out, mail it in or give to your city/town clerk.

2. You can vote right then and there, or take your ballot home and either mail it back or drop it off. Make sure to sign and date it ONLY in the marked spaces.

3. Return your ballot in the envelope by mail or in person to your city/town clerk before November 4, 2014.

4. Remind your friends and family to vote. Email them, put something up on your Facebook page, tweet them, call them on the telephone – whatever it takes to get them to vote.

All politics is local, and this year it’s even local-er than usual.

Please vote. Now. This week. Next week. On Halloween if that tickles your fancy. Or for the sake of tradition, on November 4. Just vote. Do it. Please.