With 12 candidates vying for three seats on the Butler County Board of Commissioners and seven candidates seeking election to the county court of common pleas, the stage has been set for the May 15 primary election to be anything but ho-hum.

Those contests, as well as contests for borough, township and school board positions, should motivate voters to go to the polls on Election Day. Of course, time will tell whether voters agree.

Elections not featuring state and federal legislative and executive offices often are referred to as "off-year" elections. But to the county's voters, the local seats up for grabs this year should be viewed as anything but off-year in terms of importance.

Some people fail to recognize or acknowledge that these local elections actually are the levels of government that most closely impact their daily lives and should therefore not be trivialized or ignored at ballot time.

In addition to the commissioners and judicial races on the countywide level, there also is a three-way contest for the Republican party nomination for district attorney.

Thus, this year's elections are shaping up to be more interesting than most of the municipal elections county voters have witnessed in more than a decade.

It is to be hoped that in terms of the commissioners and DA races, especially, the fact that there are so many candidates will be the basis for spirited dialogue on qualifications and important issues.

In contacts with the candidates, voters should demand that candidates speak about the real, specific issues surrounding the elected positions they are seeking. Campaigns should steer clear of such general campaign themes as "promoting family values;" there are plenty of other issues to discuss, such as spending, taxes and pursuit of specific projects or other issues.

A candidate's emphasis on non-issues should cause voters to question whether that candidate has the qualifications for, and clear understanding of, the position he or she is seeking.

Beyond all that will be upbeat and encouraging about this year's primary and general elections, there is one negative that has surfaced, and it is something not unique to 2007. That is the county Democratic Party's inability to field candidates for all of the county row offices up for grabs.

While there are seven Democrats vying for county commissioner seats, no Democrats have filed election petitions for district attorney, recorder of deeds and prothonotary.

Even those officeholders doing an excellent job should have competition at election time.

That also applies to the GOP, which failed to field candidates for two Butler City Council seats whose current officeholders have decided not to seek re-election.

Many talented and capable people will be offering their services to the people in the May 15 primary and, if successful, in the Nov. 6 general election. Registered voters should acknowledge that commitment to serve by familiarizing themselves with the issues so they can make informed choices at the polls.

The voters also should familiarize themselves with the qualifications of candidates seeking party nominations and election to state appellate court seats — contests that also will be on the ballots this year.

With so much competition in place for the available Butler County party nominations, if voters tune in to the issues and what the candidates are saying and not saying, there will be little cause for the electorate to decide to stay home and not vote.