This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Simplified: Sioux Falls isn't the only city with a local election coming up. Here's your guide to what's on the ballot in other towns in the region.

Why it matters

• The elected leaders decide how tax dollars are spent, what a city prioritizes and what incentives might be available to help attract new businesses and residents to town.
• Voting in a local election gives you a say in who makes those decisions.
• Not all towns have a city election this year. Some were canceled because candidates ran unopposed, and others simply did not have one on the schedule.

"Participating in local elections is an integral and essential way to show you care about the future of your community," said Jesse Fonkert, president and CEO of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Here's a town-by-town breakdown:

Baltic

Baltic has an election April 12. Voters will elect a mayor and two alderman – all of which will have a four-year term.

Brandon

Brandon voters will elect a mayor and a Ward 1 alderman on April 12. See a list of candidates here.

Canton

Canton has a city election April 12 in which voters will choose a commissioner for a five-year term.

Colton

Colton voters will elect a mayor and one city council member on April 12.

Crooks

Crooks does not have a city election this year.

Dell Rapids

Dell Rapids does not have an election this year. Candidates were all unopposed, so no election was needed.  

Garretson

On April 12 Garretson voters will elect one alderman to Ward 3 for a two-year term.

Hartford

Hartford's municipal election was canceled this year because all three council members were unopposed.

Harrisburg

Harrisburg's municipal election was also called off because both candidates (Ward 1 and Ward 2 aldermen) ran unopposed.

Humboldt

Humboldt does not have a city election this year.

Lennox

Lennox does not have a city election this year.

Salem

Salem does not have a city election this year. Incumbent candidates were not challenged in council or mayoral races.

Tea

Tea will have a new mayor after the current one retires, but because the new person ran unopposed, there's no election needed. There were also three council seats up for re-election, and again, everyone ran unopposed.

Valley Springs

Valley Springs voters will elect one commissioner on April 12.

Worthing

Worthing voters will also elect one commissioner on April 12.

How to vote

The best place to start is the Secretary of State's voter information portal. You can check your registration status, look at a sample ballot and learn where to vote in your area.