Tomorrow is the day citizens in Surry County’s municipalities will decide who will help lead their towns and spend their tax money for the next four years.

This is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, and this means those who are registered to vote in Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy and Pilot Mountain should go out and make their voice heard about who they want leading their local government.

Voter turnout tends to be stronger when state and national elections are being held, and it tends to lack when it is time for the local elections. The local elections should be just as important to area residents, because these are the people who are making the decisions that affect citizens’ lives on a daily basis.

The elected officials will decide the status and upkeep of residents’ streets, and water and sewer systems. They will make sure people are protected in the case of a fire or police emergency. They have the final say when it comes to how people’s trash and debris are disposed of, and what type of recreational activities are available in the municipalities.

All of these services, and more, are funded with local citizens’ tax money, so we encourage everyone who is eligible to vote to go to the polls tomorrow between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to decide who will be leading your municipality the next four years.