It’s a big year for Shelby County politics.

While the general election is still 10 months away, election season is already upon us. Major party candidates only have until Feb. 7 to qualify, which is eight weeks shorter than usual.

Numerous local offices are up for election, including sheriff, superintendent of education, property tax commissioner, coroner and one seat on the Shelby County Board of Education.

The people elected to these offices oversee some of the most important aspects of our county. Safety and education are routinely mentioned in lists ranking Shelby County as one of the best places to live in the state.

Several other offices are also up for election, and the winners of those races will also play a large role in shaping Shelby County’s future. Those offices include governor, U.S. House District 6 seat and State House District 43 seat.

It’s important that Shelby County residents are prepared to vote. To do that, you need to be aware of the issues and, of course, a registered voter.

Now is the time to begin studying the issues facing our county. In a few months, election season will be in full swing, bringing with it plenty of opinions and comments online and in real life. Knowing the issues and your stance now will help prepare you for the election.

It’s also time to register to vote if you haven’t done so yet or if you’ve moved recently. Shelby County typically has high voter turnout, but we think it could be higher, especially during primary elections.

More than 60 percent of the county’s active voters cast ballots in the 2010 election. That number rose to 76 percent in the 2012 presidential election. Primary voter turnout was about 36 percent in the 2012 election.

Make an extra effort now by learning the issues and registering to vote.

 The editorial is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.