Editor’s Note: This guest piece is offered with the intent of encouraging voter registration.

Liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat, it is hard not to take notice of the campaigns underway for President of the United States. From Donald Trump’s controversial tweets, to Bernie Sanders reaching new levels of internet fame with the hashtag #FeelTheBern, the 2016 Election is garnering quite a bit of attention.

While most pundits are focused on 2016, let us not forget an important election for our community. Nov. 3 is Election Day, and it is important to you go to the polls to cast your ballot in the 2015 municipal election.

This election will fill three seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and determine the partisan demographic of our state’s highest court. With each justice being elected to the Supreme Court for a decade long-term, it is imperative to participate in their selection. Additionally, your local City and County Council representatives will be selected, impacting our community in many ways.

Whether you are new to Erie, or returning for another school year, it is important to not overlook your chance to participate in the democratic process by going to the polls.  Are you registered to vote in your hometown, but not able to be there on Nov. 3 due to classes and exams?

As long as you place the request before Oct. 27, you can apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you, so that you can still vote in your local election.

If you are registered to vote in Erie County or will be voting in person on Election Day, in The PA Department of State has a handy search tool that gives you your polling place information and directions on how to get there.

All of this information, as well as the answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Erie County website.

While #municipal2015 may not be trending on Twitter, this election is still important for our community, and I urge you to get out and vote on November 3.

You can follow Kathy Dahlkemper on Twitter: @Kdahlkemper, Instagram: Kathy_Dahlkemper, and keep in touch via her Facebook page: Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper.