When thinking of St. Louis politics, the first thing that comes to mind is “Democrat.” With a historic 60-year Democratic lineage, it seems clear which party will return to office this spring.

Of the seven Democrats running, four have significant-enough polling numbers to be seriously considered for the position: Lyda Krewson, Lewis Reed, Antonio French and Tishaura Jones. Separate of their current governmental roles—three candidates are aldermen for their respective wards, Jones is city treasurer—each candidate has picked up local expertise crucial to their mayoral candidacy. Reed, president of the board of aldermen, is known for his extensive financial background, both corporate and as a manager of city funds. Meanwhile, French has been noted for his progressive work in community building and social movements, like his work with the protests in Ferguson, Mo. three years ago.

No matter who wins, this election represents a major disruption of the status quo as it ends the 16-year legacy of current Mayor Francis Slay.

One common theme in this election is the ambiguity of the “most important” issue. Crime and police brutality overlap with socioeconomic disparity and economic rejuvenation, which overlaps with the ever-changing school system. St. Louis voters face a unique challenge: They must vote for a candidate that can try to tackle all of these issues simultaneously.

Each candidate has been endorsed by a major institution within the city: Reed by the St. Louis Teacher’s Union, Krewson by the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association, Jones by the St. Louis American and French by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and, of course, Student Life. Clearly, in its present state, St. Louis is a city is at a crossroads, in which constituents believe that they are best served by local politicians with different agendas for how to improve the city.

Washington University students living within the city limits possess the rare opportunity to help enact real change right in their backyards. The issues at stake don’t belong to some distant entity—the new mayor can impact our campus by opening up new business ventures for students to participate in and encouraging economic growth in the city by finding ways to reduce violent crime throughout the city. St. Louis voters—Wash. U. students included—must go out, vote and let their voices be heard.