Today is Election Day, and while it may lack the drama found when the president of the United States is on the ballot, it is an extremely important day in our democracy.

This is the day when voters will pick their mayors and the people who will represent them on city councils and school boards. They will be electing the leaders of the governments that are closest to them and likely have the greatest impact on their lives.

That’s why today’s voting is so important.

In Fort Dodge, voters will pick a mayor, six members of the City Council and three members of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education. Additionally, three members of the Iowa Central Community College Board of Directors are on the ballot.

Mayor Matt Bemrich is unopposed for his fourth term in office. Brooke Bickford, Richard Higgins, Quennel McCaleb and Councilwoman Lydia Schuur are competing for two at-large seats on the City Council.

Councilman Terry Moehnke is unopposed in Ward 1. Cameron Nelson is unopposed in Ward 2. Councilman Dave Flattery is unopposed in Ward 3. Councilman Kim Alstott and Gregory Gubbels are running for the Ward 4 seat.

Incumbents Stu Cochrane, Dan Hansen and Lisa Shimkat are unopposed for their seats on the Fort Dodge school board.

Mark Crimmins, Bennett O’Connor and Brandon Wessels are seeking re-election to the Iowa Central board. Larry Hecht is also running for re-election as a write-in candidate.

All of the communities surrounding Fort Dodge have local officials on the ballot also.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

A map of the Fort Dodge polling places appears elsewhere in today’s edition of The Messenger.

Show your commitment to the future by voting in today’s election. Those who cast a ballot will help shape the future of our communities.