1 day remains to register to vote on Nov. 5

The nation is consumed by impeachment fever.

Democrats hurl serious allegations against President Donald Trump. Even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who for months has been reluctant to commit to impeachment proceedings, is now on board as the House started formal impeachment inquiry hearings.

For his part, the president continues to rail against the charges as a hoax and a “witch hunt,” the product of “fake news” that nullifies the voice of the voters who elected him.

And so it will continue as we careen toward the 2020 presidential race.

Actually, you don’t have to wait that long to take part in our fundamental democratic process. In fact, you only need to hold your fire another month.

On Nov. 5 voters in Berks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties will join citizens across the state in going to the polls and taking part in what is referred to as a municipal election.

More likely, an embarrassing percentage won’t bother, skipping this non-presidential decision as they continue to debate the merits of the current inhabitant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And that would be a shame. Up for grabs on the November ballots will be crucial positions in county government, as well as local municipal ruling bodies and school boards. These are the people who make sure your trash is collected, your street gets paved — and more importantly plowed when snow arrives each winter — and, as if we could forget, set your local tax rates, including the dreaded property tax.

In our region, seats up for grabs include county commissioners and council seats. In Delaware County, three seats on council are on the ballot. It is conceivable that Democrats, who went decades without a single vote on County Council, could suddenly find themselves not only the majority party, but possibly seeing the ultimate in a reversal of fortune, an all-Democrat 5-0 council.

Voters also will decide who will be the county’s top prosecutor in Delaware County. The same story is playing out in both Chester and Montgomery counties, where county commissioner jobs are on the line. Chester County also will be electing a new district attorney, now that incumbent Republican Tom Hogan has decided not to seek re-election.

We urge voters not to get so carried away with what is playing out in Washington that they ignore what is taking place in their own back yard.

Even if you have every intention of going to the polls on Nov. 5 and exercising your fundamental constitutional right, you won’t be able to do so unless you are registered to vote.

And time is running out to make sure you are eligible to cast a ballot. In fact, you only have about 24 hours left to register and be eligible to take part in the election.

You must be registered to vote by the end of the day tomorrow, Monday, Oct. 7.

There are several options available. You can do so online here: https://www.votespa. com/Register-to-Vote/Pages/ How-to-Register-to-Vote. aspx#online.

Or you can visit your county election office or any of the following locations: county assistance offices; Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program offices; PennDOT photo and driver’s license centers.

In order to register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must be 18 years of age, reside here in the Keystone State, have been a U.S. citizen for at least a month; and be a resident of your district for 30 days.

And just in case all those local offices that are up for grabs do not get your attention, though we’d be puzzled as to why that might be the case, voters statewide also will fill two seats on the state Superior Court, which handles appeals in criminal cases.

Impeachment furor is not going away. It no doubt will continue to burn right through 2020.

But right now, we urge you to pay attention to these crucial local races. Get involved, exercise your right, make your voice heard.

Democracy does not begin at the White House. More likely it starts at your borough or township meetings. Or when your local school board votes to raise your taxes.

These are decisions that have a huge effect on your life and your town.

Ignore them at your own peril.