Early voting in local elections is scheduled to start on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Candidate for Chautauqua County clerk Greg Krauza did something few of his counterparts have offered within the last week. In an item that was published in the OBSERVER and The Post-Journal — as well as our online outlets — Krauza announced his plans and intentions regarding the position if he is elected.

“My campaign will be a solution-based campaign,” he said. “This does not mean we have the solutions to every issue, but we do have a commitment to using all resources available, including the people of Chautauqua County, to find and implement them. I believe the way we currently are operating is no longer sustainable. We have to approach each challenge with the attitude that it can be solved and look past preconceived notions. This is not always easy but we must respect opposing opinions, value those who express them, fiercely debate with courtesy and develop solutions that both sides accept.”

Krauza is no stranger to the game of politics. He previously served as mayor of Dunkirk and was a candidate in recent years for the position of Fredonia village trustee.

He also understands a major factor in the November election, which begins with early voting in a little bit more than five weeks on Oct. 25. As a Democratic candidate, he is an underdog.

It is not due to the fact he is running against an incumbent for the position. It has more to do with rural America, including Chautauqua County, taking a hard lean to the right.

Being Republican here has almost become an automatic ticket to serving a constituency, according to recent elections in the area. In the highest-profile positions, those connected to the party with the political symbol of the elephant are dominating.

With the exception of mayors in both the city of Dunkirk and village of Fredonia, Democrats are shut out when it comes to the major local offices that include New York state senator and assembly, U.S. representative, county executive, clerk, district attorney, sheriff and mayor of Jamestown. In addition, the GOP holds 14 of the 19 County Legislature seats while having eight of the nine Jamestown council positions.

All this is far from surprising to those who follow the region’s political landscape. But there is a fear factor that arises when one party has too much power in government.

We are witnesses to the damage taking place in Albany where Democrats control the office of governor, the Assembly and Senate. Republicans often seem powerless when trying to push items of common sense that include getting tougher on bail reform or attempting to slow New York’s push for solar and wind power.

It is a similar atmosphere in Chautauqua County. Last year, as the Legislature considered approving a $302 million budget that increased taxes to property owners, the minority party in the five Democrats attempted to give back some of the $38 million in county reserves to the residents.

Dominant Republicans — all 14 who are far from conservative with your money — balked at reducing the tax levy. The minority voice in Mayville, just like that in Albany, had been silenced.

Constituents fail to remember decisions like these when they head to the polls. Even in an age where a plethora of information is available, voters on both sides usually go with the party while overlooking the dilemma.

Krauza’s opponent for clerk, Greg Carlson, has done little to announce a platform for the position he seeks. Even on his campaign Facebook page, there is no platform on the issues for the office though Carlson notes he is a “public servant, retired military officer, and devoted family man hoping to earn your vote. My goal is responsive leadership of the County Clerk’s office in providing efficient and friendly customer service.”

Simple, but no substance.

Those lack of sentiments are in line with many of the candidates who are in the mix. This election year, which does not include a major national or state office, has a slate of 169 local elections. Overall, almost 200 candidates are seeking those positions — meaning most of the offices are uncontested.

In the biggest races, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, a Republican, is seeking opposition from current District 4 County Legislator Tom Carle from Fredonia. Eight of the 19 Legislature seats are being challenged. Dunkirk and Jamestown council seats have some contests with others being unopposed. Fredonia has three running for two trustee seats.

Smaller communities in the county are often just happy to have someone step up and do the job. That’s not always the best solution in a democracy, but it is one we have willingly accepted.

It is said that residents get the government they deserve. With apathy growing — and accountability lacking from local voters — there is no reason to expect Chautauqua County to turn around decades of population loss.

Blaming Albany for local troubles is an easy way out and lazy.

We have more than 400 elected representatives here in Chautauqua County. If those in office believe they are handcuffed and comfortable with the status quo, then why are they even bothering to serve?

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.