Have you finally reached the point where you are tired of hearing yourself complain and are ready to make a real difference in your community?

Have you been putting off making that decision?

If so, you are running short of time to file petitions needed to run for office in one of the area’s townships or villages, or a seat on the board of one of the area’s school districts. The deadline to file as a candidate in one of the many nonpartisan races that will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot is 4 p.m. Wednesday.

It’s important for area residents to step up and be willing to run for an office — and while this year’s off-year election might not carry the glamour of a presidential race, those who win seats will have the opportunity to have a direct say in how their communities are run. There are seats up for grabs in many townships, cities, villages and school districts, but so far there are few candidates. Each race is important. When you add it all up, you can see that it truly is the most grassroots of elections.

Having candidates on the ballots is important. That gives voters choices when they vote and eliminates the position too many small communities often face — if no candidates file for an open spot, then someone must be appointed to serve the term. And that takes a choice away from those who will be most directly affected by decisions that are handed down.

Choosing to run for office requires a commitment that often comes with little — if any — financial compensation. Yet elected officials on the township and village level have the satisfaction of knowing they had a real say in how their communities are governed, and those who serve on school boards will have an impact on the lives of current and future students.

Wednesday also is the deadline for filing local issues for the Nov. 2 ballot. And, if you are not registered to vote, the deadline to be eligible for the Nov. 2 election is Oct. 4.

Show you care about your community — run for an office, and if you aren’t able to do that, make sure you registered and cast a ballot.