The presidential elections and midterms get all the headlines, but local elected officials have the most impact on our daily lives. From housing to parks, from schools to water infrastructure, a small number of voters make decisions that can have far-reaching impacts for their communities. But local elections often see lower turnout than national races, in part because they aren’t well-known or easy to research.
But if you are aware of them, local races can have even more power than federal ones because the margins tend to be much narrower and one vote can make all the difference. In fact, in some cities where councillors are directly elected by voters, margins can be as low as a few hundred votes. That’s why it’s important to know about local elections and vote with your community in mind.
Local elected officials are also often the people who decide how accessible elections are in the first place, setting voting hours and polling locations, and determining how voter ID laws are enforced. Electing officials who prioritize equitable access to the ballot box is key to eliminating barriers that marginalized communities face, and consistent local participation can lead to broader reforms.
If you’re curious about what local candidates stand for, you can check out their websites or social media and attend candidate forums or town hall meetings. These are great places to learn more about what they believe in and how they plan to tackle the issues facing their community.