On Tuesday, April 3, I left my newspaper work night for a short time to cast my first ever vote in the Shawnee mayoral and city council elections. The whole day I probably frustrated friends with how much I was talking about the elections. I was a very enthusiastic voter at the polling location. I had my photo I.D. ready to go before I even walked in the door, which I’m sure immediately told poll volunteers I was a first time voter. When I returned to the school to finish my newspaper work I wore my “I voted in Johnson County” sticker all evening and saved it to put on my bulletin board for later.

Ultimately, 11 percent of registered voters in the city voted on Tuesday. While the number is still very low, voter turnout did raise to a total of 9,803 as opposed to the last election’s 7,860. I can only hope that the community will respond in greater number in the future and I hope I can encourage my peers to vote more effectively in the future.

All incumbents won re-election on Tuesday. Incumbent mayor Jeff Meyers beat challenger Eric Jenkins 56 percent of the vote to 44 percent. The ward II race was decided by a very close margin. Incumbent Neal Sawyer beat challenger Mike Kemmling by just nine votes. In my own ward, ward IV, incumbent Mickey Sandifer beat challenger Dylan McAfee by the largest margin of 61 percent to 39 percent.

What is especially striking about this election, especially the close competition in ward II, is just how much of a difference one vote can make. I am often frustrated by peers who discuss national politics with fierce intensity while they look at me glossy-eyed when I bring up local politics. I would like to hear of any other arena in which one voice can truly be decisive.

I hope to make my voice heard in many more elections to come.