While presidential, senate and congressional elections receive the most attention, local elections are also crucial to our democracy. Local officials make decisions that affect your daily life: how much funding goes to schools and community projects, how potholes are fixed, and how new businesses are developed. These decisions are made by people you elect to your city councils, school boards, county commissions, and more. Voting for these leaders is one of the most powerful ways you can ensure that your tax dollars work for your community.
Historically, local races have lower voter turnout than national elections. And with smaller pools of eligible voters, every vote counts more, especially in small-scale elections where the difference between winning and losing is often just a few hundred or even a few dozen votes.
Local elections often have fewer media outlets reporting on them, and it can be difficult to find local election information. But fortunately, there are many nonpartisan resources available online and in the community that can help you find local election information, like candidates’ backgrounds, beliefs, and positions on policies, as well as details about what’s on your ballot.
Many community organizations host candidate forums, and you can learn more about your local elected officials by attending their district office open houses or scheduling a phone call to speak with a staff member directly. You can also get involved with your local government by participating in a participatory budget, which allows residents to decide how a portion of the public budget should be spent.
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