Last-minute voters, time is running out. Ballots were mailed last week and the clock is steadily ticking down to the Nov. 4 general election.

For those who haven’t had the chance to dive into the issues, get to know the candidates, or are still wrestling with the right decisions, here’s who we think deserves your vote.

Beginning with local races, Karla Jacks is the best candidate for the Island County District 3 commissioner seat. Candidate Rick Hannold might represent North Whidbey’s conservative core well, but Jacks’ more moderate approach is a better reflection of South Whidbey’s values. She’s also a Camano Island resident, which should not be dismissed lightly. That faraway place that nobody here knows anything about is still part of Island County and residents there deserve a say in the shaping of their community.

However, to serve voters well Jacks must have her own voice. Party platforms and loyalties do play a role in the shaping of public policy, but many issues in the county arena require free thinking and divorce from partisan influence.

For Island County treasurer, the job should go to Wanda Grone, a Republican. Incumbent Democrat Ana Maria Nuñez’s four years in office have seen too many errors and it’s time for someone new to take the reins. Grone has the experience to get the job done well, having served as deputy treasurer for years.

In the race for Island County auditor, Republican incumbent Sheilah Crider is the right fit of the two available choices. While several mistakes have happened under her watch as well, she’s also ushered in positive change. First and foremost the office has abandoned a long-standing and archaic cash-only policy, and now accepts debit cards. This is a service that was long overdue.

Moving on to state races, Norma Smith, R-Clinton, deserves another two years in position 2 of the 10th Legislative District. Smith is responsive to the public and isn’t afraid to challenge state or local offices when needed. Also, it’s hard to endorse her challenger, Libertarian Michael Scott, when he declined to meet with Whidbey News Group’s editorial board.

Incumbent Dave Hayes, R-Camano, should also be re-elected to the district’s position 2 seat. A soft spoken family man and a career police officer, Hayes seems the embodiment of a small town lawmaker representing Island County in Olympia. His positions can be a bit conservative for South Whidbey, but overall he’s done a fine job. His challenger, Democrat Nick Petrish, is also a working man — a Boeing electrician — but his plan to use a state bank as a recipe for fixing the state’s budget woes is unlikely to gain support.

Finally, the Second Congressional District race should go to Democrat Rick Larsen. A long champion of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and infrastructure projects in Island County, Larsen has proven himself a congressman who actually makes a difference here at home. His positions on controversial issues and subsequent lack of endorsement by the San Juan County Democrats this year, however, is a warning flag in terms of listening to constituents. One needn’t always agree or cow to party pressure, but it’s loud and clear that many feel they aren’t being heard.