Election time is fast approaching.

Candidates have filed to run in all of the 15 countywide offices that will be up for grabs and all but two of those races are contested.

At least three of the races do not have incumbents, including races for the Adams County Circuit Clerk position, tax collector and tax assessor.

The lack of incumbents running in those elections, election-watchers say, has likely attracted more candidates to throw their hats into the ring for those positions and as a result we have 54 candidates running for the 15 countywide offices up for grabs.

With 54 candidates, it can be hard for voters to keep up with each of the candidates and where they stand on the issues facing the Adams County and the offices they hope to hold.

That’s where The Natchez Democrat comes in. Over the next several weeks, leading up to the Aug. 6 party primaries, we will be highlighting candidates in each of the races.

We are compiling relevant questions for each office and submitting the same questions to each of the candidates for those offices.

Then we will publish the candidates’ responses so readers can see where each of the candidates stand on the issues.

We will begin publishing those responses on Sunday with the responses from each of the five candidates seeking to be the Adams County Sheriff.

Other Adams County races we will be highlighting in the coming weeks include coroner, prosecuting attorney, circuit clerk, justice court judge seats, tax collector, tax assessor, Adams County supervisor seats in five districts and constables.

I encourage everyone to read those stories so when it is time to go to the polls you can make an informed decision.

If you have a question you would like to submit for consideration to ask candidates in an upcoming race, please email the questions to newsroom@natchezdemocrat.com by the end of the week.

Also, The Natchez Democrat is publishing free announcements for candidates who submit them telling who they are and why they believe they are the best candidate for the positions they seek.

Those announcements can be submitted to newsroom@natchezdemocrat.com and will be published in the order they are received as soon as space is available in an upcoming Wednesday or Sunday publication.

Candidates also should include a head and shoulders picture of themselves in a jpeg format.

If the candidates cannot provide a picture, they can call to arrange a time to come by The Natchez Democrat to have a picture made.

We also will be highlighting the races in Concordia Parish later this year after the candidate-qualifying deadline passes in August. Concordia Parish races include sheriff, clerk of court, assessor, coroner and police jury positions.

Voting is the most important thing citizens can do to shape the direction of their communities.

Study up on the issues, pay attention to where the candidates stand on those issues and vote your conscience on who you believe is best qualified to fill those important community positions for the next four years.