Voter turnout was through the roof a week ago, both in Chautauqua County, New York state and the country at large.

It wasn’t unexpected. Voters always turn out when it’s time to vote for a president, and the 2024 race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris was something we’ve never seen before. A sitting president bowed out of a campaign for the first time since 1968. We saw our first public assassination attempt of a president or presidential candidate since 1981 – and then saw a second attempt on a candidate’s life. There was plenty of mudslinging and name-calling, too.

So, yes, this was certainly a unique election whichever side one saw themselves supporting.

About 68.9% of Chautauqua County’s active registered voters cast a ballot in the presidential race. That’s a high number since it’s considered a success for Trump that he only lost New York state by about 10%. Typically turnout is lower in states where the outcome in big races is largely decided before Election Day.

It appears, at least as of Nov. 12, that New York will still have even-year voting in local races in 2025 after Democrats’ push to move local elections to line up with presidential election years has been ruled unconstitutional by a state Supreme Court judge. The state is expected to appeal the decision. But if we do indeed have local races next November, it’s disappointing to think that there will be less interest in races that will affect you more directly than this year’s presidential election. Voter turnout for local elections is typically around 30%, higher if there is a contested mayoral election and lower if the election is mainly for City Council or County Legislature positions.

Much of what made this year’s presidential election so interesting to voters won’t happen when it comes to local races next year. There won’t be assassination attempts. A front-running candidate isn’t likely to drop out unexpectedly. There won’t be much drama.

What there will be is an opportunity to ask questions of the people who affect your lives in small ways – the roads that get repaired each year, changes to traffic patterns if needed, setting local tax rates, dealing with neighborhood concerns and local projects that need to be taken care of, like Chautauqua Lake or eyesore buildings.

We don’t expect to see nearly 70% of voters cast ballots next year. But it’d be nice to see 40% head to the polls.