Election Day last year was a crazy-busy time. Everyone was whipped into a frenzy after months of non-stop campaigning and eager to find out if Mitt Romney or President Obama would lead the country for the next four years.

Below that top ticket, there were many state-level races, referendums and municipal and school board races. While this fall isn’t shaping up to be as dramatic as 2012, it’s no less important. Communities are holding important referendums and voters need to educate themselves so they are prepared Tuesday, Nov. 5.

In South Portland, the tar-sands issue has found a place on the city’s ballot with a proposed ordinance change that would restrict petroleum-related activity at the tank farms. Supporters of the measure want to keep tar-sands oil from being pumped through the Portland-Montreal pipeline. Opponents say the regulatory limit could threaten the existence of the tank farms, barring Portland Pipe Line Corp. from making necessary upgrades that have nothing to do with tar-sands. The issue is an important one, since the company pumps $1.7 million into local tax coffers, or about 3 percent of the city’s annual budget, and is an economic driver for the entire area.

Since it is so important, the city of South Portland should hold information sessions so residents can have any questions answered. In Windham last year, the Town Council hired an outside firm to hold hearings on a proposed sewer project for North Windham, with many residents taking the opportunity to get better informed. In Windham, since state laws bars towns from advocating for a ballot measure, the town struck the middle path well providing residents fact-based information upon which to base their vote. There was an extensive website launched, flyers distributed, and the town office was on call to answer questions directly. It all cost money, but was well worth it. South Portland should do the same.

In Scarborough, voters may have a dogfight on their hands. There are efforts under way by the Dog Owners of Greater Scarborough to attempt a citizens’ petition aimed at undoing the leash law being considered by the Town Council. Dogs are allowed to be off leash on town beaches from sunrise to 9 a.m. They are banned outright between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and can only be present in the evening when on a leash. There is a chance the law could ban off-leash dogs altogether and shorten leash lengths from 30 to 8 feet. There’s a strong likelihood the measure will make the ballot, so both dog lovers and folks fed up with the dogs should pay attention to the issue.

Down the road in Saco, the city’s residents will vote on whether to withdraw from RSU 23. The city’s administration has already organized a resource for voters on its website. The withdrawal agreement, plus minutes from RSU Withdrawal Committee meetings and importance correspondence between the town and school can be found at www.sacomaine.org/departments/administration/rsu23-withdrawal.

Saco voters should take advantage of the primary-source documents and determine for themselves whether the city would be better off seceding from the school district that includes Old Orchard Beach and Dayton.

Around the region, important local offices will need to be filled. In the cities of Biddeford, Saco and Westbrook, voters should be treated to some good ol’ electoral battles in the mayoral races. Biddeford and Westbrook will feature three-way races for the top post. Biddeford’s incumbent Mayor Alan Casavant will face off against Perry Aberle and former Mayor Joanne Twomey. In Westbrook, two-term incumbent Mayor Colleen Hilton is getting a challenge from Republican Ernest Porell and the unenrolled James Tranchemontagne. Plus in Westbrook, voters can take advantage of choosing all seven City Council whose seats are up for election all at once – the last time that will happen due to a recent Charter amendment that wisely instituted staggered terms.

So, while it lacks the frenzy of a presidential election year, 2013 is shaping up to have some punch all its own. It is incumbent on residents to do all they can – including reading the newspaper you’re holding right now – to educate themselves on the issues and use that knowledge to make good choices. As Americans, that’s our privileged duty.

–John Balentine, managing editor