First up is the May 11 special election to fill the open U.S. House 9th District and Georgia Senate District 49 seats. Following that are the July 20 Georgia primary and Nov. 2 general election, with each vote also carrying the possibility of a runoff.

As we enter the election season, The Times wants to know what issues matter most to voters in our area. The candidates have their ideas and plans, but what do you care about most? Is it the economy and jobs? Taxes and government spending? National security? And how would you like your elected officials to address those chief concerns?

We would like you to send us, in your words, a short letter expressing your views on the top issue in this election. Please limit it to 150 words, and include your full name, hometown and a contact phone number. The Times will publish a sampling of the best submissions in an upcoming edition previewing the election. A reporter also may contact some of you for an accompanying story.

You can send your submissions by e-mail (preferred) to news@gainesvilletimes.com (please put "issues" in the subject line); by fax to 770-532-0457; or by mail to The Times, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503.