They want to make decisions on your behalf. They want to decide how your tax dollars are best spent. And in some cases, the privilege of representing you will come with compensation and full health benefits – better than many of their potential constituents receive.

“They” are the candidates for office in the Aug. 17 primary election.

This election is significant in many ways: We will have a new sheriff for the first time in 24 years. There are five candidates, each with rich experience in law enforcement and community service.

We will have at least one new state House member to speak for us in Olympia. Eight candidates hope to succeed Dave Quall, who is retiring. One of those candidates is from Friday Harbor.

All told, San Juan County residents will vote on 14 legislative and local positions this year: County assessor, auditor, clerk, prosecutor, sheriff, treasurer; County Council District 2, District 5, and District 6; District Court judge, Superior Court judge; U.S. House of Representatives 2nd District, 40th District state House Position 1, and 40th District state House Position 2.

Six races will be on the Aug. 17 primary ballot. The top two vote-getters in the primary — regardless of party affiliation — will advance to the Nov. 2 general election.

Here’s how The Journal will be covering the primary.

July 7: Profiles of the candidates for San Juan County Sheriff.

July 14: Q&As with the candidates for San Juan County Sheriff.

July 14: Profiles of the candidates for state House, position 1.

July 21: Coverage of the League of Women Voters’ primary Election Forum. (The forum is July 16, 6:30-8 p.m. at Mullis Community Senior Center.)

July 21: Profiles of the candidates for state House, position 2.

July 28: Profiles of the candidates for U.S. House of Representatives.

Aug. 4: Journal endorsements.

Aug. 11: Final pre-election coverage.

Aug. 18: Election coverage on SanJuanJournal.com.

Aug. 18-20: Candidate mini-forums for the primary election winners at The Journal booth, San Juan County Fair.

We welcome letters to the editors regarding candidates and the issues. To allow for as many views as possible to be published in print, please keep your letter to our word limit of 350. Include name, address and telephone number for verification purposes. Form letters and unsigned letters will not be published. All letters and stories will be posted on SanJuanJournal.com.

You have until July 19 to update your voter registration for the Aug. 17 primary. You have until Aug. 9 to register if you are not already registered in Washington state. Visit the Elections Office, 55 Second St., Suite A, Friday Harbor; or call 378-3357.

For information about all other races, see the online voters guide.

— To submit a letter to the editor, write Editor, The Journal, 640 Mullis St., Friday Harbor 98250. E-mail to rwalker@sanjuanjournal.com. Deadline is Friday at 3 p.m.