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Arguably many statewide offices would be better appointed than elected by voters already faced with an overlong ballot. But it is tradition in this state to give voters a voice, even when they might be unaware of who some officials are and what they do. Such is the case with the Council of State, which essentially serves as the governor's cabinet. These offices may be overshadowed by more glamorous races but they shouldn't be overlooked.

Auditor

Some say State Auditor Les Merritt, 56, was a proverbial bull in a china shop during his first term in office. The Republican has aggressively monitored waste and abuse of state money. He even has found efficiencies in his own office by outsourcing some audits.

But sometimes his zeal to do good goes bad. In 2007, Merritt urged lawmakers to back off a bill permitting voter registration only days before an election. He based his concern on a then-incomplete audit suggesting dead people were registering - and that turned out to be dead wrong. "In hindsight, I wouldn't do it the same way," Merritt said in a recent interview.

Some say Merritt was motivated by politics in this instance and others, but, on balance, his work has been solid.

His opponent, Democrat Beth Wood, 54, is a CPA like Merritt, and worked for 10 years in the auditor's office as a trainer. She suggests good ideas: better communication with lawmakers, more concise and readable audit reports, training upgrades.

But despite his missteps, Merritt's office has done good work on taxpayers' behalf. He deserves re-election.

Treasurer

If only every race had two candidates as impressive as the pair running for state treasurer.

Democratic state Sen. Janet Cowell, 40, is by profession a strategic planning consultant. Republican state Rep. Bill Daughtridge, 55, is president of a gas and oil company as well as the owner of several other businesses.

Both candidates hold MBA degrees. She has worked as a securities analyst in Asia and Europe. He was a Morehead Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill who has built and grown a successful company.

Both pledge to preserve the state's top-tier AAA bond rating and to keep the state employees' pension fund healthy. Both say they will improve communication and transparency. Cowell wants a high-powered advisory board of investment professionals to help her make the best decisions. Daughtridge wants to push counties and municipalities to include maintenance costs in bonds for infrastructure such as water and sewer.

Either is a very good choice. But Daughtridge gets the edge on the strength of his business experience.

Secretary of State

Democrat Elaine Marshall, 62, the first woman to win statewide office, in 1996, is seeking a fourth term. She is opposed by Jack Sawyer, 36, an Alamance County real-estate lawyer and businessman.

Sawyer raises questions about departmental deficiencies and security breaches cited in a 2002 state auditor's report. However, Marshall responds convincingly that fixes are in place.

The secretary of state's responsibilities include ethics rules enforcement, legislative lobbying oversight, security fraud and copyright infringement.

Marshall wants to put more public records online and to continue an aggressive, nationally recognized campaign against knock-off merchandise. Her experience makes her the better pick.

Insurance commissioner

With Insurance Commissioner Jim Long retiring, his deputy, Wayne Goodwin, is the best choice to succeed him. The 41-year-old former state legislator, a Democrat from Hamlet, wants to re-examine the state's Beach Plan, which underwrites coverage for coastal storm damage, make auto insurance rates more equitable and boost state funding for firefighters.

His opponents are Republican John Odom, 61, a Raleigh businessman, and Libertarian Mark McMains, 46, owner of a Fuquay-Varina towing company. But Goodwin's hands-on experience puts him ahead of the field.

Agriculture commissioner

The sitting commissioner, Republican Steve Troxler of Guilford County, knows farming. He has raised wheat, tobacco, soybeans and cattle on his land for 38 years. But he also has embraced the broader responsibilities of his office.

When a salmonella scare broke out in July, it was Troxler who helped ensure that North Carolina-grown peppers were safe and helped reassure the state's consumers. Troxler, 56, also has pushed hard for the development of biofuels. More significantly, he has rebuilt his department's reputation after the scandal surrounding former Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps.

His Democratic opponent, Wake Forest attorney Ronnie Ansley, 46, is bright and energetic and not lacking for ideas. But Troxler has earned the right to return to Raleigh.

Labor commissioner

Republican Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry points proudly to the dramatic drop in workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities on her watch. She says she views businesses as partners, not adversaries.

But Berry, 61, has been reluctant to address reports of dismal work conditions in some poultry-processing plants. When offered additional poultry inspectors by the General Assembly, she used the positions elsewhere.

Democratic challenger Mary Fant Donnan proffers a more thoughtful, balanced approach that is equally sensitive to the needs of workers and business. Donnan, 46, a program officer for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, served as director of research and policy at the Labor Department for seven years before leaving in 2001. She would bring a forward-thinking new attitude to a department that sorely needs one.

State superintendent

Democrat June Atkinson, 60, the current superintendent, is making the most of a position that doesn't have much power. A former high school business teacher who worked her way up in the state Department of Public Instruction, she remains enthusiastic about the profession. Atkinson's goals include improving drop-out rates, aiming for all children to become excellent readers and providing students access to "engaging" technology.

Her challenger, Republican Richard Morgan, 56, of Eagle Springs, is a former state House co-speaker. He touts his experience on the House Education Committee and says he would be a strong and visible advocate for public schools.

But Atkinson is doing a good job as an advocate, and a career spent in education gives her the clear advantage.