This is an “off year” in politics. There are no elections for federal office. That comes next year when there will be elections for Congress.

That doesn’t mean that the elections this year are unimportant. Who we elect for County Executive, the County Legislature and other local offices is still important. Local elections give us the opportunity to choose elected officials who are the closest to us, and who operate most of the government that we deal with on a daily basis.

Some don’t like them, but I am a big believer in political campaign signs. They remind us of our obligation to participate in government.

This year, I have seen signs for the Republican candidate for County Executive but none, so far, for the Democrat who is running. If the election were held today, I doubt that many people would even be aware that a race is going on for this position. That is sad, as County Executive is an office that we should be interested in.

There is also an election this year for County Clerk, and I have seen signs for both the Republican and Democratic candidates. This is a lesser-known office, but the County Clerk has the important obligation of filing deeds and other instruments at the courthouse. In addition, the Clerk runs the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and administers its various offices in the county. The general public probably has more contact with the DMV than with any other government office.

I have also seen political signs for County Legislative races, though there are several districts in which there is not a political contest.

When there is no contest for a political office, it makes for a “real quiet” election. That may be good for the only candidate running, but it does not leave a choice for the voter…which is what elections are all about.

That brings up the subject of the health of our election system as a whole. Sadly, I believe, it is harder than ever to get people to run for office. Elected office can be a “thankless” job. It takes time to go to meetings, pass resolutions, laws, budgets and do all of the other things required for the functioning of government.

Yet, at its core, there is nothing more important in our corporate life as citizens than elections. It is essential that we have people running for public office. That should be part of our DNA as Americans.

The bottom line, I guess, is that I just don’t like “quiet” elections. I want to hear the candidates, listen to the issues being debated, be invigorated with all of the “hoopla” surrounding the whole process, and then participate as a voter in actually choosing who our political leaders will be.

We need to stay involved in our government, lest we lose it. There is no substitute for elections. I commend those who are running…I just wish that there were more citizens willing to become candidates for public office.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.