Voters came to the polls on Nov. 8 to participate in the in Utah County 2024 Municipal General Elections.
While some voters said they feel passionate about this election, others said it was a struggle to even get themselves to the polls. Still, they made an effort to cast a ballot.
Ana-Betsy Avila, a Provo resident and voter, said she hopes to see improvements in the city parks.
"Change is needed—parks, improvements in the parks, better recreational options, so that Provo looks better," Avila said.
Other voters expressed concern with rising housing prices and policies affecting the homeless and religious freedom.
But these voters all seemed to agree on one thing.
"I voted today because I am aware that it is my responsibility to vote as a citizen and i feel very proud to be a citizen," Avila said.
Utah's municipal elections draw far fewer voters to the polls than their national counterparts.
The 2023 countywide Municipal General Election had a 26.94% total voter turnout, according to a report by Utah County. That's much lower than the county's 83.76% voter turnout during the 2024 Presidential General Election.
But voters said that elections happening in your backyard are just as important as the ones on capitol hill.
Beth Larsen, a BYU student and Provo voter, said local elections affect people’s day to day life in the community.
"A lot of the decisions that are made locally are going to affect you a lot more, like your housing or the traffic in Provo or things like that that affect your day to day life a lot," Larsen said.
Cherie Cloward Nuttall recently moved back to Provo after being gone for more than 20 years. She encouraged people to get involved with local politics.
"This is your life and your family's life and if you love people in Provo city, eventually you'll have some experience with it," Nuttall said.
Linda Torgeson came to the Health and Justice building because voting gives her a voice, she said.
"It's important to vote so you're heard so the people that are in charge know what you need and what you want,” Torgeson said. “That way you have a stand in society."
She and others certainly made their mark in this election, one ballot at a time.