With the Sept. 10 Statewide Primary just a couple weeks away, it’s time again for thousands of Rhode Islanders to step into the ballot box and vote for the people they trust to carry out the difficult job of representing their interests in city and town halls, at school committee meetings, and within the confines of the State House.

While national news and the recently-ultra-corrosive nature of national politics has taken most of the spotlight on citizens’ television sets and within their news circles, it must never be forgotten that local level elections have always been (and always will be) the most important and impactful decision any voter will make during any given election year.

The people on the ballot are seeking to represent your immediate world — not some abstract, philosophical concept that drives the divide between left and right, blue or red, in the larger political atmosphere. These people on the ballot will decide how your tax dollars are spent, which roads are paved, how school funding is allocated, and what quality of life you will enjoy within the community you have chosen to live in.

It is often the chagrin of the local apathetic voter that their lone vote doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Such has never been the case in a local election, where single digit vote counts actually do decide races for town and city council positions, school committees, and even state representative seats every single election season; sometimes in multiple races in many different communities.

The benefit of living in Rhode Island, too, is that voters have an incredibly flexible voting system working in their favor to ensure that their voices are counted, and available at their convenience. Early voting begins this week (Aug. 21) and runs through Sept. 9, concluding with the actual Primary Day on Sept. 10.

For our readers in Warwick, you may go to City Hall Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and cast an early ballot. Cranston readers can do the same at the Pastore Youth Center (155 Gansett Ave., Cranston), and Johnston readers may utilize the Johnston Land Building (515 Greenville Ave., Johnston) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.

On Primary Day, polling locations open at 7 a.m. and operate until 8 p.m. Make sure to visit the Secretary of State’s website (vote.sos.ri.gov) to find your polling location.

While local elections may not carry the same buzz as a presidential race, the impact from these local elections will have far wider and more immediate, consequential effects on you than any federal race. Combine that with the ease of voting in this state, and there is no good reason to sit on the sidelines.