OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) — Despite a competitive mayoral race and city council contests across all five wards, Opelika’s municipal election drew less than a third of the city’s voters to the polls.

Out of 26,774 registered voters, just 27.7 percent cast ballots in Tuesday’s election. That means fewer than 7,500 people decided the outcome of races that will shape Opelika’s leadership for the next four years.

Unofficial results show Eddie Smith winning the mayor’s office with 56 percent of the vote. City council races also brought several new faces to the dais, including Janataka Hughley-Holmes in Ward 2 and Leigh Whatley in Ward 3. Incumbents Chuck Beams and Todd Rauch held onto their seats in Wards 4 and 5, while George Allen captured Ward 1.

Political observers say the numbers reflect a br

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