Local elections provide citizens with a direct voice in their democracy and give them the ability to choose representatives who are directly accountable to them. However, low voter turnout in these elections is often due to a lack of awareness and engagement with the election and candidates. This can be exacerbated by the fact that many local elections take place at odd times of year, and they are often overlooked in the media.
Research shows that one of the primary barriers to voting in local elections is a lack of knowledge about the candidates and issues. Local elected officials make decisions that impact the day-to-day lives of their constituents, from zoning laws to policing policies to school curricula. However, the votes cast by the public for these elected officials are often skewed due to low turnout in these elections and the prevalence of “news deserts” where few local media outlets dedicate resources to covering these races.
It is also important that voters understand the platforms of their candidates, which can be done by examining campaign websites and social media. While these platforms may be skewed by a candidate’s bias, they can provide an insight into a candidates beliefs and positions on key issues.
It is also critical that voters have access to information on how to vote, which can be accomplished through distributing voter guides in prominent community locations and by hosting candidate forums and debates hosted by nonpartisan organizations. Finally, it is important to recognize and celebrate civic participation, which can be done through social media or by partnering with local businesses to offer discounts or freebies for voters on election day.
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