Early voting for the Aug. 24 primary election opened Monday.

In addition to the party primaries for national and state seats, there are Republican primaries for the Lee County commission as well as three non-partisan races for the Lee County School Board and two judicial seats on the ballot.

All registered voters can cast ballots in the school board and Lee County court judges races, meaning everyone can vote in at least five races.

It’s a plump ballot– and an important one — and we urge voters to take advantage of it by turning out.

There are three ways to cast a ballot — by mail (call LEE-VOTE, 533-8683 by Wednesday, Aug. 18); through early voting at select polling sites (through Aug. 21); and, of course, at neighborhood precincts on election day.

Early voting locations include the Lee County Elections Main Office at 2480 Thompson St. in Fort Myers and the Cape Coral Branch Office at 1031 S.E. 9th Place, Suite 3. Hours beginning Monday will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

For those still seeking information on the candidates, it is readily available on various campaign and media websites, including our own. In addition, Breeze Newspapers will publish a special election section, which will include news stories and biographical information, position statements and Q&As for the Lee County Commission Republican primaries and the non-partisan school board races next week. We invite you to read.

Ours thanks to all of the candidates for stepping forward. And our thanks in advance to the residents who plan to vote.

— Neighbor editorial