Despite a spirited mayoral campaign and well-stocked races for the city council and school board, turnout for last week's election was lower than predicted.

Just 30 percent of 38,879 registered voters cast ballots in the election. Given that runoff elections typically have even lower turnout, we feel compelled to urge people to vote on Tuesday, June 26.

It's hard to understand why so many people don't believe choosing local leaders is important enough to break from their daily routines and vote. The leaders chosen in this election are the best way people can have a say in the challenges facing the city, whether it's traffic, the state of downtown or urban sprawl.

We understand that issue fatigue can be a factor. But in the case of the coming runoff, the issues have been thoroughly debated and the choice for change has been made. Incumbent Mayor Jim Shaw has been ousted.

The choice for mayor now is whether Sam Kooiker or Alan Hanks is the best person to lead the change that voters have sought.

That's certainly not as daunting as wading through the positions of the eight candidates on the original municipal ballot.

Yes, the issues need to continue to be talked about, and controversies surrounding development and infrastructure still await whomever becomes the next mayor.

One of the dangers for either of the remaining candidates is that their supporters assume that the race is in the bag and that their votes aren't necessary. The candidate your prefer may have led the vote total in the main election, but the runoff starts everyone out from zero again, and the one with the most votes at the end of the day will be the winner, no matter what the margin of victory was last week.

In a low-turnout runoff, that apathy could make the difference in who gets the privilege of leading Rapid City.

The June 26 runoff is an extra opportunity for voters to speak up. Elect someone you believe will respond to your desires for where the city is headed.