Now that the election is over, it's time for election filing to begin.
Candidates for Jefferson City offices began filing Tuesday, one week after ballots were cast in national, state and county elections.
The municipal election on April 2 will have some similarities to, and some differences from, the November election.
A key similarity is incumbents intend to seek re-election.
Incumbents largely prevailed in the November election and a majority of the elected city officials facing re-election hope to mirror those successes.
Among the seven city offices to be decided, six incumbents either filed Tuesday - the first day of filing - or have announced their intent to do so.
They are: Shawn Schulte, 2nd Ward; Bryan Pope, 3rd Ward; Bill Luebbert, 4th Ward; Ralph Bray, 5th Ward; Cotton Walker, municipal judge; and Brian Stumpe, city prosecutor.
A major difference is elections for city office are nonpartisan.
Jefferson City voters will elect five members to the 10-member City Council, as well as a municipal judge and prosecutor. All will serve two-year terms.
Candidates do not file as Democrats or Republicans.
If more than two candidates file for the same position, a primary will be held March 5.
We historically have encouraged community-minded people to consider running for elective office.
Our encouragement is not based on the performance of specific office-holders, it derives from our belief that elections are about choices.
Voters deserve an opportunity to hear differing viewpoints and visions, then elect the candidate best suited to improve operations and attain goals.
Elections, ultimately, are not about victories for candidates, they are about choices for voters.