Elections are usually held on the first Tuesday in November, but this year Utah’s general municipal elections will be held on Nov. 21. This change was made due to the need for a special election to replace Chris Stewart, who resigned earlier this year from his position as representative of Utah’s 2nd Congressional District.

Municipal elections are important. The decisions that city council members and mayors make directly affect us in many ways, including in our taxes, infrastructure, recreation programs and parks. Just last year, the Orem City Council took steps toward trying to form a new school district within the city. These are major decisions in which everyone should have a say, and we can — by voting.

In addition to city council candidates, some cities’ ballots have propositions that could greatly affect citizens. Again, it’s important that as many of us as possible make our voices heard.

Voters in Orem have the opportunity to vote for or against a 0.1% sales and use tax for recreational and cultural facilities and organizations. In Pleasant Grove, voters can vote for or against a possible property tax increase to help pay for a new park, increased police wages, a new full-time firefighter and a new full-time library program coordinator.

Lindon and Alpine voters will be able to vote for or against a PARC (parks, recreation and culture) tax. More details about each city’s propositions and ballots can be found on the cities’ websites and on the ballots themselves.

There are actually five different ways to vote in Utah County this year. Ballots can be dropped off at any drop box location. A list of locations can be found at UtahCounty.gov. Completed ballots can be mailed but must be postmarked on or before general election day (Nov. 21).

Early in-person voting is going on now through Monday at the Elections Office in the Utah County Administration building, located at 100 E. Center, Suite 3100, in Provo, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-person voting will be held Tuesday at nine different voting centers. Locations can be found at UtahCounty.gov.

The fifth way is a pilot program in Utah County called Fast Cast. To vote this way, take the ballot that was mailed to you and identification to one of the vote centers between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday.

If you want to know more about the primary elections, Vote.utah.gov is full of valuable information. There is a whole section about security safeguards that are in place for elections in Utah.

Other information on the site includes candidate biographies and descriptions of any issues that may be on the ballots for the municipal elections. If you’re not sure who or what to vote for, this is a great place to start gathering information.