Why is it so important to participate in city elections?
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) - After the opening of early voting on Monday, Oct. 23, city and county officials are taking the time to remind voters to participate in their local elections. City elections typically will have the least amount of participation compared to general elections.
Madison County Clerk Kim Muir says for the county, city elections are below 50% for the largest city in the county.
"In 2019, we had 17% for City of Rexburg. Sugar City was better at 56%. But so there's just a few people that are deciding who's going to set priorities for the cities and run them," Muir said.
She encouraged everyone to come out and participate in their city elections, as they are more likely to have a direct impact on what you will see in your day to day.
"City mayors and council people. They do set a lot of the goals and and how their city will be run. So it is important to get out and vote for these races," Muir said.
Current Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill who is also up for reelection as the current incumbent encouraged all of the people within the city to come out and vote.
"I would encourage people to get out and vote. We've got a really great slate of candidates this year. We've got six candidates running for our city council and three for the mayor's position. And so it's really important to get out and vote for those who you think best represent your views," Mayor Jerry Merrill.
He says voting in a city election is important as if you feel like your city, isn't run as the best it can.
"If you don't feel like things are going the way you want them to, or if you feel like things are going okay, then you know, you should either vote to take people out or to keep the people in that you think are are doing the right things," Mayor Merrill said.
Madison County Election Director Brenda Stoor says you don't have to be traveling on election day to participate in the early voting process.
"Early voting is really a convenience. It is going on now in our office until Friday, November 3rd. You can come in between the hours of eight and 5:00 and we'll be happy to help you. We also do curbside voting and we'll come out to the car and help you if you can't make it in here," Stoor said.
So far since the opening of the early voting process, only three people have come out to vote, but they hope more are on their way.
"It's really important you come out and vote for who is going to best represent the values that you want to see upheld or the changes that you want to see happen within our community," Stoor said.
To participate in early voting, you can go the Madison County Administration Building at 134 E Main St, Rexburg, ID 83440, any time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The polls will open Nov. 7 at 8 a.m.
