Every year on Nov. 3, thousands of Minnesotans report that they are a registered voter, take their assigned ballot, walk up to their enclosed box, and fill in a bubble to vote for people whom they want to be represented by.

In America, it is considered a democratic right for one to vote at the age of 18. Emma Noble, senior, saw voting as her duty to take advantage of this right.

“I decided to vote because I think it’s important. As [Americans], we have the right to choose who leads us,” Noble said. “It’s an opportunity to be heard, and it reflects how decisions are going to be made on important issues that face your community.”

However, only around a quarter of registered voters voted in the 2015 local elections in the Hopkins district. This off-year election more directly affects the Hopkins community than next year’s presidential election.

In Ohio, local voters had the opportunity to vote for the legalization of marijuana. Although federal law states it is illegal too (what with) marijuana, state voters can, with the power of a vote, choose to have medical marijuana and recreational marijuana be legalized in their area. The results of the election showed that Ohio voters were opposed to the legalization of marijuana.

Another local election in Kentucky presented the opportunity to vote on gun control laws. However, the action was not passed, and guns remain uncontrolled by the local government.

Those who live in the Hopkins district had the opportunity to vote for school board positions and other local offices. Sam Branson, senior, viewed this election similarly to Noble.

“I voted because it is a way to make your voice heard, even as an average citizen,” Branson said. “I voted for Nechia Agate Levasseur for school board because she is young but seems like she could offer a new perspective on the board.”

Students at HHS of voting age were also able to vote for their new mayor.

“I voted for Shep Harris for Golden Valley mayor because of his success in his previous term and his willingness to listen to all the members of community,” Branson said.

Luckily for Branson, his candidate Harris won 51.9% to 47.8%. Out of 3,849 votes, 2,004 votes went to Harris and 1,845 went to runner-up Martha Micks.

Hopkins also elected a new mayor, Molly Cummings, who won with 80.5% of the 958 votes cast.

Minnetonka, just as Golden Valley, re-elected four incumbents from the previous term, two of whom ran unopposed.

Molly Bauer, senior, turned 18 in September but did not exercise her right to vote.

“I didn’t inform myself on what we were voting on, but I also don’t know how to register to vote, Bauer said. “I didn’t really know a local election was happening, so I didn’t inform myself. But I’ll inform myself for a presidential election.”

For student turning 18 next year, registering for the election can be done by going on mnvotesinfo.sos.state.mn.us and clicking the register to vote link right on the homepage.