Don't forget to vote today in local elections

Residents in area counties have several decisions to make in today's elections.

A new Cape Girardeau City Council member will be chosen in Ward 4. In Scott City, Marble Hill, Delta, Advance, Morley and Blodgett, new city representatives will also be chosen for each town's respective city council or board of aldermen.

School board members will be chosen in 12 districts: Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Oak Ridge, Delta, Leopold, Meadow Heights, Advance, Perryville, Woodland, Kelly, Oran and Scott County Central.

A Perryville municipal judge will be elected, and Scott City will choose its next mayor.

In addition to those contested races, Cape Girardeau and Jackson voters will decide on two tax questions. One would retain an existing sales tax on out-of-state vehicle purchases, while the other would enact a new use tax on other out-of-state purchases.

Meadow Heights voters will weigh in on the Keep Meadow Heights Safe proposition, which would allow the school district to borrow money to install new security at building entrances and upgrade the existing surveillance system.

In Perry County, voters are being asked to decide on a tax increase to fund court and park facility maintenance and upgrades.

Stoddard County residents will weigh whether to eliminate the current 911 tax in favor of a sales tax.

We often hear people say "My vote doesn't matter." It's easy to feel that way during the presidential election, especially when someone wins in a landslide victory. However, in these local races -- city councils, school boards, local taxes -- a single vote can carry a lot of weight.

If you want to read more about any of these races or candidates, you can find all our election coverage at semissourian.com/election. We will also be posting results there as they come in throughout the night.

Local election officials predict low voter turnout today. These ballot issues and elected officials can have a direct effect on your life. Be sure to vote today. Make your voice heard.