NATCHEZ — Natchez is in the Top 10 of a USA Today poll asking readers to vote for their choice in the Best Historic Small Town category.

The poll includes 20 small historic towns from throughout the nation that have been selected for the category by a team of expert travel and culture writers for the USA Today network.

“These 20 nominees for Best Historic Small Town have big histories and small populations — fewer than 30,000 people as of the last census — making them fun and affordable ways to dive into our nation’s past,” states the category entry on USA Today’s website. “We need you to help us choose a winner by voting for your favorite once per day until Monday, May 6 at noon ET.”

Natchez finished at No. 5 in the same category in the USA Today poll last year.

Stratton W. Hall, director of public and community relations for Visit Natchez, said for Natchez to be included on the list is great exposure for Natchez.

“It is phenomenal to be included in that Top 20 in itself,” Hall said. “There are some phenomenal towns, Mackinac, Island, and other phenomenal destinations there. It puts us on an international level. USA Today is a huge publication so for us to be included in that is fantastic in itself.”

Hall said the exposure could bring the word of Natchez and all the city has to offer to a broad audience.

“We want to be No. 1,” Hall said, adding that Visit Natchez is promoting the poll on social media, and she encourages others to share the message on social media and link to the USA Today poll with friends and people who might vote for Natchez.

“This isn’t just for people who have lived here before,” Hall said of encouraging people to vote for Natchez. “This is for people who just love Natchez, and they may not have a connection with anybody else on that Top 20, so share it out with everybody and anybody that has visited here or wants to visit Natchez.”

Hall said tourism is a backbone of Natchez’s economy.

“It’s our constant here,” Hall said, “and this exposure is phenomenal even if we’re not No. 1, so let’s just make a great showing for Natchez.”

Voting at https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-historic-small-town/natchez-mississippi/ continues through 11 a.m. May 6 and voters can vote once per day.

Here is the complete top 20 in the Best Historic Small Town category as of Tuesday afternoon: No. 1. Mackinac Island, Michigan; No. 2. Granbury, Texas; No. 3. Angola, Indiana; No. 4. Williamsburg, Virginia; No. 5. Clarksdale, Mississippi; No. 6. Abilene, Kansas; No. 7. Natchitoches, Louisiana; No. 8. St. Augustine, Florida; No. 9. Haddonfield, New Jersey; No. 10. Natchez, Mississippi; No. 11 Dodge City, Kansas; No. 12. Bisbee, Arizona; No. 13. Moundsville, West Virginia; No. 14. Cody, Wyoming; No. 15. Cape May, New Jersey; No. 16. Ferndale, California; No. 17. Deadwood, South Dakota; No. 18. Fairhope, Alabama; No. 19. Bluffton – South Carolina; No. 20. Tarpon Springs, Florida.