In a presidential election year that perhaps sadly will go down in history for its unprecedented rancor, mudslinging and general ugliness, closer to home Islanders will find a refreshing antidote to the clatter that fills the airwaves day and night.

In Dukes County there is strong interest in elected office this year. A robust slate of candidate races includes contests for congressional and state representative, state senate, county sheriff, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and Dukes County Commission. Even the county register of deeds has a lively race going on.

Campaigning in some of the races began in earnest before the state primary in September — and now with three weeks left until the election it can be expected to ramp up. It’s been nice to see candidates for state representative and others knocking on doors, standing at the post office, greeting voters face to face. That kind of old-fashioned campaigning doesn’t happen much anymore in the fast-tracked, mostly anonymous mainland world.

Early voting, new in Massachusetts this year, begins the week of October 24 in every Island town. A schedule is published in the classified pages of today’s edition and also appears on the Gazette website. The general election is November 8. The Martha’s Vineyard League of Women Voters will hold a candidates forum on October 29 for the sheriff and register of deeds races.

The last day to register to vote for the November election is Wednesday, October 19. If you are not registered to vote, you can do so at the town clerk’s office in your town hall. Island town clerks are an unfailingly friendly, knowledgeable and efficient lot.

Beginning last week, in today’s edition and over the next three weeks, the Gazette will carry stories related to the election and candidate interviews. By longstanding policy, the newspaper does not endorse candidates or publish letters of endorsement, although letters to the editor and op-eds on the issues, including ballot questions, are welcome. There are four ballot questions this year on subjects ranging from whether to raise the cap on public charter schools to a nonbinding question about legalizing recreational marijuana. All demand voter attention.

Tip O’Neill, the iconic late Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, famously said all politics is local.

In the coming weeks, take some time to get to know the candidates and their views on the issues. More than ever, your vote matters this year.