So-called “off year” elections are our favorite, because they’re all about local politics.

You won’t find any national offices on the Aug. 18 primary election ballot. No need to worry about the big pictures on the disastrous economy and various disastrous wars. This time, we’re talking about issues that really matter.

What really matters? In truth, it’s the stuff that local officials do. They shape our towns and county, run our schools, manage our hospital, make sure we have plentiful and safe drinking water, zone our property, oversee pollution control and do the myriad of other things that affect our day-to-day lives.

This year, there are city council seats available in Oak Harbor and Coupeville, school board seats in both jurisdictions, hospital district positions, water district positions, fire district board spots, and cemetery and sewer district openings, among others.

These are the elected positions closest to the people. They’re fun, challenging, time-consuming and satisfying, not to mention frustrating, exasperating and occasionally depressing. How many local officials have worked for years to produce a new water tank or sewer plant at the lowest possible cost, only to have patrons complain vociferously when it’s all over? Why didn’t they get involved earlier? In such cases, it helps to know in your heart that you did the right thing.

There aren’t any overt party politics in such local elections. All the positions are nonpartisan, so voters have to judge each candidate on his or her merits, not the party label. It’s refreshing, and candidates are helped by not being stereotyped before they can even speak.

All local elections need to be successful is plenty of qualified candidates. This can be a problem, particularly now that the primary election is held in the dead of summer. But if you ask the incumbents, most of them will tell you the job is very satisfying and public service for little or token pay is one of the most rewarding things they’ve ever done.

If you’ve ever thought about running for public office, make this the year.

Candidates can file this week at the Island County Elections Office, located at 400 North Main St. in Coupeville, through Friday, June 5, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 679-7366.