This Tuesday, voters will decide whom to represent them on town governing bodies in Scotch Plains, Garwood, Cranford, Clark and Mountainside, along with boards of education in Scotch Plains, Garwood, Clark and Cranford. Candidate statements, biographical information, advertisements and endorsements fill these pages. (We’re told there’s also a Presidential election, but we’re going to stick with the local news we know and love.) Now it’s up to you, the voter, to decide.

We’re not endorsing candidates, platforms or messages — you get enough from our polarizing media brethren telling you what to think. We firmly believe that our role is to lay out the facts, give the candidates space in which to tell you about their views, and let you draw your own conclusions. We empower and implore you, the voters, to make what you believe is the best decisions for your municipal, board of education, county and federal officials.

We welcome a robust debate even when it may get intense or emotional. Debates over the future of our towns — development, fields, school curriculum, taxes and much more have been put forward by sincere and hardworking people on many sides of the issues. A modicum of respect is warranted no matter how strongly our opinions may be held. At the end of the race, the local candidates are our neighbors, who are putting themselves and their ideas forward with the best of intentions. There is no need to denigrate to personal attacks before or after the election. Some of what we have seen on social media is appalling, to say the least.

That said, if you truly despise the people running for office on the major party tickets (locally or up the food chain), do something about it. If you are party registered, start getting involved. Contact your municipal Democrat or Republican organization, become a committeeperson, or run for office yourself. And if you don’t want to run for office, think about the smartest, most reasonable person you know — and do everything you can to encourage and support them to run. Yes, it’s a low- to no-paying, completely thankless job, but good people with a diversity of opinions and skill sets are needed to steward us to the future.

Until then, there are many ways to make your voice heard in next week’s election — mailin ballots, drop-boxes, early voting and on Election Day. Vote! And good luck to all the candidates; win or lose, you all get credit for having run.