DES MOINES, Iowa — Local elections are just three weeks away, and the ballots will host a number of new names, with several platforms voters can pay attention to.
However, election officials and local voters alike are stressing the importance of researching each candidate before casting a vote this season.
"For the city and school election, we're seeing a lot of enthusiasm. We're seeing candidates running in almost every city, every school district and multiple candidates," said Jamie Fitzgerald, the Polk County auditor and commissioner of elections.
The Nov. 7 ballot has a tight mayoral race for the first time in 20 years, three city council seats up for grabs and one special election for the Ward 1 city council seat, with seven candidates vying for the spot.
Fitzgerald told Local 5 he expects 68,000 to 75,000 voters come to the polls. And with a long list of races and names on the ballot, this year could be different from past city elections.
"I think there is a lot of interest. I haven't judged it myself to see, but I think we're going to see a lot of interest in this," said Don Piper, a Des Moines resident and local voter.
Local voters and election officials are stressing the importance of remaining informed.
"I am concerned that we don't have enough people that make the effort to become informed and then we don't have people voting as much as they should or as much as I think they should," Des Moines resident William Sherman said.
Through events in the community, local voters are already showing up and encouraging their peers to do the same.
"It impacts the people around you the most. Local elections, I feel, are just as important, if not more important, than national elections," local voter Ryan Christensen said.
While emphasizing the true impact voters can have.
"You know, to make a difference locally you really should be involved, you should pay attention to what is going on because hey if you don't vote, you don't have a voice," Piper said.
To learn more about who is on the Nov. 7 ballot, as well as how to vote on election day, you can go to Election - Polk County Iowa.