Elections can change or set the direction of a nation or a community.

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One year ago, the nation was wrapped in the drama of a presidential election. A young Illinois senator, a black man, was locked in political war with a longtime Arizona senator, a former POW, a war hero, a white man. The result was history — the election of Barack Obama and no matter your political leanings a new era of American politics.

Tuesday, many Roanoke Valley voters will have the opportunity to do the same — change or set the path for their communities.

The polls will open in Northampton and Halifax counties at 6:30 a.m. Voters will have 13 hours, until 7:30 p.m. to confirm their choices.

This is an off-year, municipal election. No state or county jobs or federal posts are on the ballot. For some, this may diminish the vote’s importance but in community after community this is a very important vote.

The people are being given the opportunity to select the men and women who will dictate policy and spending. The mayors, council members and school board officials will have their hands on the government’s spending habits and the tax rates for the next few years.

One of the hallmark votes will come in Roanoke Rapids.

One of the city’s icons, Drewery N. Beale, is seeking another term as mayor. The former police chief is fighting for his political life against challenger Emery Doughtie, a financial adviser and community leader.

At the core of the Beale vs. Doughtie race is The Roanoke Rapids Theatre project and a $21.5 million bond indebtness.

Beale has stressed decades of service to the Roanoke Rapids community and his love for the city and its people. Admitting some mistakes were made, Beale has affirmed his desire to make the necessary changes and lead the city to a new era of prosperity.

Doughtie points to the mistakes and while saying he believes the mayor and Council had the city’s best interests at heart, they erred. He told an election forum, “I would have taken a long hard look before signing anything which would have put the city in the position it’s in now.”

Two other Roanoke Rapids City Council veterans face challengers on Tuesday.

Councilman Jon Baker is being opposed by former police chief Greg Lawson and City Councilman Ed Deese faces Suetta Scarbourough.

In talking with the candidates and “politically savvy” local residents the analysis is the same time and time again — all three races are too close to call. The final outcome will depend on voter turnout and that hinges on a multitude of factors including the weather, the voters’ attitudes — anger, frustration, support and loyalty — and each candidate’s own effort to get his or her supporters to the polls.

In Weldon, longtime Mayor Johnny Draper finds himself locked in a challenge with another longtime public servant, Council member Julia Meacham.

The two differ on the direction the community should go and who should lead the city. Meacham and her support backs the idea of hiring a town administrator. Draper questions the wisdom of the idea, worried about how Weldon would afford the municipal executive.

In Enfield, Warnie Bishop and Barbara Shaw Simmons vie for the mayor’s job while in Littleton Patrick MacRae and Betty Bobbitt Willis face each other for the top post. In Scotland Neck, incumbent James Edward Mills Sr. is seeking his second term. He is opposed by Raymond Watson.

Another election contest with far-reaching implications for the future of the Valley is the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District. Incumbents Jim Bailey and Gene St. Clair are seeking re-election. Their posts and that of current board chairman Jeffrey W. Smith are on the ballot. Three challengers are seeking seats on the district’s board — Paul Heaton Jr., David Shaffer and Jim Garrett.

The sanitary district oversees water and sewer services to Roanoke Rapids and much of the area. It is a pivotal player in any plan for economic development.

There are three seats open on the Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools District board. Incumbent Mike Salanik is seeking re-election. While longtime community leader and former board member Mary-Frances Allsbrook Fisher and Mike Williams are hoping to replace Dr. Fred Wier and Dr. Shiva Rao, both chose not to run again.

Inside today’s The Daily Herald, you will find a list of polling places for Tuesday’s election and a list of the candidates. There are also profiles of the candidates for the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District and reports on Enfield and Scotland Neck. (The stories and lists begin on page A9.)

If you have questions about voting, contact the Halifax County Board of Elections 252-583-2391 or the Northampton County Board of Elections 252-534-5681.