Unless more candidates step up, local voters will have few choices when choosing city and county leaders in 2020.

As of presstime Wednesday, only the mayor and one candidate had filed to seek re-election to the Powell City Council, and no new candidates had stepped up.

Council races in Cody and Meeteetse appear to be similarly sparse, with only a handful of candidates running.

Meanwhile, for the first time in recent memory, the Park County Commission race isn’t highly contested. So far, only the two incumbents have filed for the two available positions. Compare that to 2018, when 10 candidates sought three seats on the commission.

But all of this may change in the next 24 hours, since there’s still time for candidates to run for local, state or federal seats; the filing period closes at 5 p.m. Friday.

So, if you’ve considered running for the Powell or Cody city councils or Park County Commission, now’s your chance. The city races are nonpartisan, with the top two candidates from the primary election in August advancing to the November ballot.

Serving in local government doesn’t come with much recognition, and oftentimes, it can be a thankless job. Usually, local elected officials are more likely to hear from residents who are unhappy or angry than those who appreciate their service.

But while the positions may not be high-paying or glamorous, they are rewarding. City council members and county commissioners make important decisions that directly affect you, your neighborhood and your community. For example, they determine how much your garbage bill is, whether you can raise bees in your backyard or if your neighbor can operate a commercial greenhouse from their residence. While local elected officials oversee operations to keep the county and city governments running smoothly each day, we also expect them to plan for the future.

As we navigate how to safely and effectively move forward in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, strong local leadership will be crucial. With the state’s top industries — energy, agriculture and tourism — taking major hits this year as shutdowns left many unemployed, Wyoming faces a bleak economic outlook. Our state has weathered tumultuous periods in the past, and we’re looking to our local and state leaders to make wise decisions as they craft budgets, consider economic development and help steer communities toward a better future.

Signing on to serve your community over the next four years won’t be easy, but it will be worthwhile and appreciated. We’re thankful for the public servants who are dedicated to the people of Powell, Cody, Meeteetse, Clark and surrounding communities. Now more than ever, wise and steady leadership matters.