Eligible municipal electors should exercise their democratic rights in today's territory-wide municipal elections.

That's the opinion of Tom Paterson, the executive director of the Association of Yukon Communities, who is encouraging people to head to the polls today before they close at 8 p.m.

'Municipal services affect us all on a daily basis,' Paterson said. 'Municipal planning affects us all in the future.'

Paterson said his organization has been holding a series of pre-election workshops in Yukon communities in an effort to raise voter interest.

He said interest in the election has been varying from community to community.

'Mayors and council are responsible for the sustainability of our communities,' Paterson said. 'We need to vote for people who will do the best job for us.

'People seem to be taking municipal services for granted.'

In an interview Wednesday, city manager Dennis Shewfelt said he agrees with comments made by mayoral candidates Monday that many members of the public seem to be confusing the responsibilities of city council and the legislative assembly.

Shewfelt said he felt it's important to remember that issues involving sewer and water, roads and infrastructure, parks and development zoning are the responsibility of city council, not the territorial government.

During the territorial election, candidates for various ridings reported hearing concerns over a number of municipal issues, including roundabouts and development.

'(People) should be coming to city hall,' Shewfelt said of development zoning issues.

In Whitehorse, polling places are located at:

• the Royal Canadian Legion Hall at 306 Alexander St. for residents of Riverdale, Hospital Road, Wickstrom Road, downtown and Marwell;

• the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre for residents of Takhini, Valleyview, McIntyre, Granger, Arkell, Logan, Copper Ridge, Northwestel Housing Area, Kopper King, and the Takhini, Northland and Mountainview mobile home parks;

• the Yukon Transportation Museum for residents of Hillcrest, McLean Lake, Canyon Crescent, McRae, Wolf Creek, Pineridge, Cowley Creek, Spruce Hill, Mary Lake and areas on both sides of the Alaska Highway south to approximately Mile 904.8; and

• the Guild Hall for residents of Porter Creek, Crestview, Forestview, MacPherson and Hidden Valley.