By looking at the numbers from our online polls, the races for mayors are all very interesting. There have been a couple of polls where the numbers have been very close. Some were so close that if our numbers were used in the actual election, there would be a runoff.

Having this high level of interest hopefully means we will see a very high voter turnout for the municipal elections on Tuesday. If you haven’t been introduced to the candidates, you still have time to learn.

On Sunday, The Clanton Advertiser will be printing a municipal election guide that will outline the offices that will be elected on Tuesday and those who are running for those offices. In Clanton, the mayor and all five council seats are being contested. Jemison will be having elections for the mayor and three of its city council positions. Two council districts had candidates that were unopposed.

Thorsby will have an election for mayor and two city council places, while the other three places only had one person qualify for the position. Maplesville will only vote on the mayor’s post because all five council positions have only one person qualified for each district.

This is obviously one of the most important elections that our municipalities will have. There is no one who will more directly affect your life than your mayor and city council if you live in city limits. They make decisions on anything from police, fire, roads, parks and any other local government business.

Unfortunately, if you don’t live in the city limits of Clanton, Jemison, Thorsby or Maplesville, you will not get a chance to vote this week. In November, however, you will have the opportunity to elect the county commission and the tax assessor – both of which will affect the business of the whole county.

If you have never voted in an election and you live in one of our four municipalities, we encourage you to pick up Sunday’s paper, read about the candidates and then go to the polls Tuesday. Let your voice be heard.