Every election season there are those who will say that this election is the most important in history. I know enough history not to go that far. (As one example, the presidential election of 1860 brought Abraham Lincoln to the White House and led to secession and, soon after, the Civil War.)

Still, the elections in Wyoming this year, from Powell City Council to U.S. House and Senate, could have a big impact on Park County. 

If you want to know more about the candidates, the Tribune has published an online voting guide that compiles the candidate profiles we’ve written over the last few months with links to WyoFile’s interactive and detailed candidate Q&As for statewide races. 

Whoever you vote for this cycle, I strongly encourage you to vote. Off year primary elections aren’t known for the highest voter participation since no presidential candidates are on the ballot, but this year voters can make so many choices that could have a big impact locally. 

If you live in Powell city limits you have a bevy of city council choices, especially in two of the wards. The primary election serves to determine the two top vote getters for city council seats who will advance to the November election. City council is impactful; just think of the recent issues regarding how many dogs should be allowed at a residence, and what the rules should be for e-bikes. 

There are also many contested Republican precinct committee positions up for grabs. These are the people who represent you on the party’s central committee where they push for support or opposition on certain legislation and issues. 

There are a number of contested positions at the county level, from the 10 candidates running for three county commission spots to the challenged races for clerk, treasurer and attorney. 

Whether you’ve had any direct interactions with them or not, your life has probably been impacted by the people in these positions. Commissioners, especially, are currently working through the massive development standards and regulations process, and any new commissioners will be tasked in January with likely helping to enforce and interpret the new rules as more developments work through the process. 

The clerk runs elections, deals with titles and many other matters. Any time you need to deal with a new vehicle or license plates you’ve dealt with the treasurer's office, and the county attorney oversees not just the deputy county attorneys trying cases, but also advises the county government in making legal decisions. 

There are also contested state House races covering every area of the county and a contested Senate race for those living in and around Powell and east Park County. These are the people who represent us in Cheyenne and make decisions that can have a big impact right here.

There’s even a question for Cody residents on whether to enact a new one mill to fund the Cody Conservation District, which provides many services in the rural areas around Cody, the North Fork and the South Fork. 

Is this the most impactful election ever? Perhaps not. But to the many candidates offering themselves to do their best to provide good government at the local and state levels, you can’t blame them for thinking it is. So, please, if you’re able, vote early, vote absentee or vote Aug. 18 on Election Day.