The nomination period for October’s municipal elections is over and the lists of candidates for Minden Hills and Algonquin Highlands are in. You can find them in a story in this week’s edition but also published on the township’s websites.

There are fewer acclamations than there initially appeared there might be but still a number of them.

In Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt will reclaim her seat by acclamation. It will be the third term Moffatt has served as head of council and she has run unopposed each time. While this is not the most interesting thing from a journalistic perspective three consecutive acclamations for the mayor’s (formerly reeve’s) chair is certainly an endorsement from a community satisfied with its leader.

“Thank you to the people of Algonquin Highlands for allowing me to serve as mayor for a third term” Moffatt posted on Twitter. “I look forward to continuing to work for the community.”

Ward 2 councillors Lisa Barry and Liz Danielsen will also reclaim their seats by acclamation meaning three of five seats on AH council were acclaimed.

There are races in Wards 1 and 3 and readers will find out what those candidates have to say on various issues as the municipal election campaign unfolds.

In Minden Hills for a long time it seemed like Mayor Brent Devolin may also be acclaimed to his second term. However two last-day entries in the form of Wayne Hancock and Jarrett Campbell will see a three-way race for the mayor’s chair in Minden.

The only acclamation in Minden Hills is for the deputy mayor’s position. Longtime Ward 1 Councillor Lisa Schell will be the township’s new second-in-command for the first time taking a seat at the county council table.

There are races for all other positions in Minden Hills. Most of them are two-person competitions except in Ward 1 the former Anson Hindon and Minden township where six people will vie for its two seats. That will certainly be an interesting race to watch.

While municipal government is the level of government we interact with most in our daily lives it has the lowest voter turnout of any level of election typically hovering around 40 per cent.

In the 2014 election voter turnout in Haliburton County’s townships ranged from 36 per cent in Algonquin Highlands to 44 per cent in Dysart et al. The figures for Minden Hills and Highlands East were 42.5 and 40 per cent respectively.

Municipal elections are an opportunity to choose the people who make the decisions that affect your everyday life. They are important. So familiarize yourself with your candidates. Give them a call. Follow them on social media. Read about them in this publication. Attend candidates’ meetings or events where they are speaking.

And on Oct. 22 vote.