Voters in Johnson County cities have come to that crucial time of year: election season.

Advanced voting began Oct. 18 for the general election that will be held on Nov. 7, which aims to elect a mayor and two city councilmembers at-large.

De Soto Mayor Timothy Maniez is running against City Council President Rick Walker. The city council candidates at-large include Mary Guntert, William Fletcher, Rob Daniels and Kevin Honomichl.

The mayor and city councilmembers may seem like rather small roles, but they have more power than you would think.

No, they don’t have much influence over foreign policy, health care or economic policy. But they do have a massive amount of influence over things that affect your daily life. They can control zoning laws, road conditions and resurfacing, emergency services and construction.

If you’re one of the few seniors at De Soto High School eligible and registered to vote, voting in your local elections gives you an influence over who is making these decisions to help keep your city running smoothly.

You’ve probably noticed the vast amount of signs around school and throughout the neighborhoods of De Soto promoting the different city council candidates, but what exactly does each candidate want for De Soto?

For Guntert, the focus is on funding an adequate economic program that would help eliminate the reliance on property owners, business proprietors and citizens to bring in economic growth. Guntert is also for responsibly expanding infrastructure while still keeping the small town feel of De Soto.

Fletcher, a member of the De Soto Chamber of Commerce and the USD 232 School Board, plans to expand green spaces and city crew to care for them, as well as controlled growth of the city while keeping taxes low.

A citizen volunteer with the Sheriff’s Department since 2010, Daniels aims to keep De Soto’s focus with itself, refraining from playing a role in the economic development and capital investment of Overland Park, while still being a part of the KC Metro.

Honomichl, an active member of the Architectural, Engineering and Construction Advisory Council for the high schools of USD 232, plans to promote broadband availability in the community to attract and retain residents, create jobs and reduce individual property taxes.

The last day to register to vote was Oct. 17. Voting can be done in polling places throughout various community centers in the city. The general election takes place Nov. 7.

“Voting for your city is the closest you can get to making your immediate life better,” Guntert said.