While the deadline to register to vote in a November election comes around at this time every year, that date always seems to attract a little more interest every four years, when a presidential election comes around.

When you get down to it, every election is important, but every voting cycle usually does not include all of the drama we have experienced during the past several presidential elections.

Some people like to vote only when they get to choose a president. Others will turn out when there’s a hotly contested race for governor or other statewide office or a hot-button statewide issue. Still others will vote to support a friend — or against someone who’s not a friend — or in support — or opposition — of a local tax issue.

No matter what type of voter you want to be, you have to be registered to be a part of the process.

For Ohioans who have not yet completed that simple procedure, time is getting short — the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election is 9 p.m. Monday.

No doubt the presidential election has attracted — and certainly will continue to attract — a great deal of attention.

But remember, there are items on the ballot that will have a pretty big impact on our local area. Two of the three Jefferson County commissioner seats are being contested, as is the clerk of courts position.

There are around 30 local issues that will appear on ballots across Jefferson County. Depending on where you live, those issues will help to fund safety services, municipal services, street repairs and garbage collection, the operation of cemeteries, transportation services and mental health services.

Those are the issues that matter most, the ones that most directly touch our lives.

Plus, while it’s unlikely most area residents will ever get the chance to see a president, it’s not uncommon — especially in an area like ours — to run into the mayor of your community, a member of council or a township trustee or county commissioner while you are out shopping, eating at a restaurant or filling your vehicle with gasoline.

If you’re not registered to vote — and you don’t make the effort to learn about the candidates and issues and cast a ballot — you won’t have a say in who holds those seats or how much you pay in taxes.

Fortunately, it’s easy for area residents to learn about the names and items they will find on the ballot. Stories previewing some of those races already have appeared in the paper, and you can expect to see more in the coming weeks.

Another good way to learn about the races is to attend a political forum, such as the one that will be held Monday evening in the auditorium at Steubenville High School. It’s a chance to hear from candidates in contested county races and learn more about several issues that will be on the ballot. There will be a meet-and-greet beginning at 6 p.m., with the forum starting at 6:30 p.m.

Questions will come from a panel that will include Steven Moore of WTRF-TV, Dylan Cleland of WTOV-TV and me. Plus, those who attend will be able to submit questions.

In addition, staff members from the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County will be on hand from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to help register voters.

If you can’t get to the high school, the Jefferson County Board of Elections will be open until 9 p.m. for voter registration. And if you can’t get there, you can go to VoteOhio.gov to register.

Early voting in Ohio starts Tuesday and will continue through Nov. 3.

You can find the complete schedule on the board of elections’ website.

The state offers three ways to vote: Through the traditional absentee system, through in-person early voting and at your precinct polling location between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.

It is expected there will be a large volume of votes cast, and Secretary of State Frank LaRose reminded Ohioans on Tuesday that his office and local election officials have been working hard to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

“Bipartisan election officials across Ohio made a commitment to ensure we’re fully prepared for this high-profile election,” LaRose said. “… I can confidently say that we are prepared for voters to begin heading to their early voting centers and begin receiving their requested absentee ballots.

“Tedious preparation is the key to executing any successful election, and Ohioans can have confidence that no matter which of Ohio’s three convenient methods of voting they choose, their vote will be secure,” he added.

None of that, though, means anything unless you are registered to vote. And even that doesn’t really matter if you don’t take the time to cast a ballot.

(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times)