Local elections are the key to strengthening communities and ensuring that the policies that affect people every day work for them, not against them. But low turnout in these important elections is a problem that affects all of us, especially young voters. Local elected officials need to educate young voters on how to research candidates and policies in order to make informed voting decisions. This can be done by partnering with community organizations, such as schools and libraries, who can help young people learn the importance of local politics, what their rights are as voters, and how to vote effectively.
The local leaders we elect decide about where we live, whether our taxes go toward roads and public safety or books and schools, what businesses are allowed to open in our neighborhoods, what educational options our children have, and more. Yet despite being so directly involved in our daily lives, they receive far less attention and engagement than national politicians and are subject to the same barriers that prevent people from participating in elections overall.
Voting in local elections is even more important than in presidential races, since many votes can determine an election’s outcome. Getting involved locally can build the momentum for policy changes that we need at the state and federal levels, as well as stopping harmful agendas before they spread. Many of the biggest policy changes in recent decades — like minimum wage increases, green building codes, paid family leave, and same-sex marriage recognition — began at the local level before growing into broader movements.
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