Newtown residents are being called to support their choices of candidates running to represent them over the next two (or in a couple of cases, four) years. While the voice we each have, and the role we play in casting votes for statewide and national races may seem diminished — perhaps even irrelevant to some — this year’s Election Day ballot is all about Newtown.

Registered voters will be asked to not only weigh in on which neighbors will represent them in many facets of town government, they are also being asked to authorize an $8 million project that, after nearly two decades of deliberation, would complete a comprehensive HVAC renovation at the Hawley Elementary School.

Beginning this issue, and again next week, The Bee will be running candidate profiles that have been submitted so voters can get to know the candidates who are running a little bit better.

For those residents who are not yet registered to vote, on October 26, the Newtown Registrars of Voters’ office will be open from 9 am until 8 pm to accept voter registrations in person. All mail-in voter registration applications must be received or postmarked by this date as well.

In addition, for those really pressing the deadline, online voter registrations will be accepted until 11:59 pm on this date.

Then on November 1, the Newtown Registrars of Voters’ office will hold a voter registration session for those who have turned 18, become a US citizen, or moved to Connecticut since October 26 of this year. This registration session is also open to members of the Armed Forces, and former Armed Forces members who have been discharged within the calendar year.

This session will be held from 9 am to 5 pm. To check to see if you are registered, visit: https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx — and if you need to register to vote, you can register online at https://voterregistration.ct.gov.

In recent weeks, The Newtown Bee’s Letter Hive has been buzzing with activity as dozens of residents and many of those stepping up to serve or seeking re-election have written in. We will continue welcoming qualified letters of endorsement for the October 29 edition, but The Bee will not publish any letters the Friday before Election Day that make specific accusations about a candidate, or in any way relate information that might require or invite a rebuttal.

Remember, letters to the editor should be signed and dated and should include the writer’s phone number and street address for confirmation. There is a 500-word limit on the length of most letters — while Thank You letters and letters of endorsement should be no longer than 300 words.

The Editor reserves the right to reject any letter; The Bee does not vouch for the accuracy or any of the assertions made in letters to the editor; and the opinions expressed in letters are those of the writer and do not reflect the position of The Newtown Bee.

Finally, letter writers are limited to two letters per month, and deadline for letters is 3 pm Wednesday, although that will be changing to noon beginning the edition of November 12.

So read up on the candidates, register to vote if you are not, maybe send a last-minute endorsement to the Letter Hive, and most importantly — VOTE!