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Candidate filing for municipal elections is less than a month away. Candidate filing starts Monday, July 7 at 8 a.m. and ends Friday, July 18 at noon.

Municipal government is the local level of government closest to the people and tends to have a direct effect on the people living within a municipality. Municipal governments address local needs and services needed for the community. Depending on size of the municipality, the requirements and needs of the community can range from minimal to more expansive for a larger community.

Beaufort County has seven municipalities which will hold elections in November. They are Aurora, Bath, Belhaven, Chocowinity, Pantego, Washington and Washington Park. The population of the municipalities range from a low of 163 in Pantego to 9,683 in Washington, according to the 2023 census estimates.

In the smaller communities, the town boards or councils are mostly stable with elected officials serving several terms. Belhaven and Chocowinity tend to have more competition in their elections.

There are always several candidates running for city council in Washington. I believe it will be the same in this year’s election. I believe there will also be competition in Belhaven and Chocowinity.

All elected official should be thanked and congratulated for being willing to serve their community. Unfortunately, not all residents feel the same way about their elected officials and would like to see change.

If you feel your community needs change, there is nothing wrong with becoming a candidate or supporting one who could possibly be a good elected official. I believe it’s good to have competition for political offices. Change brings new ideas to the community and in some cases, a change in elected officials, will remove someone who wasn’t fit to serve in the first place.

Communities can become better and it doesn’t have to depend on an increase in population. Quality of life and what a community has to offer can be important contributing factors. Sometimes it will result in economic development and an increase in population.

Municipal elections are nonpartisan. They’re open to Republicans, Democrats and Unaffiliated. All a citizen has to do is file for their office of choice to be on the November ballot. Districts are small so campaigning is fairly easy.

I believe serving on municipal bards and councils is rewarding. Partisan politics don’t play a large part in the business of a municipality. It’s all about what you believe is best for your community based on input from the residents and knowledge of the community.

I encourage people to be candidates to serve their communities. Most people tend to avoid political office because of party politics but it’s all about serving your community at the local level.

If you serve on a board or, are involved in volunteer organizations or want to serve, you will likely be a productive elected official who will be a valued member of an elected board or council.

As a former elected official, I encourage people to serve. It is rewarding. Your turn could be next. Go down and file for the office of your choice July 7, 2025.

Al Klemm is a Washington resident and a former Beaufort County Commissioner.