Local Elections: Where Real Change Begins
Moving away from the obvious national elections, real change begins locally. These elections are overshadowed by national elections but are the ones that directly affect your day-to-day life, having an immediate and personal impact.
Local elections play a crucial role in ensuring that the needs and values of the local community are represented and addressed. These local offices unite the community, creating a closer connection between voters and their local government. Local leaders are more accessible than national representatives, allowing local voters to talk directly with those who make decisions.
These elected offices are the ones who make decisions about school funding, public safety measures, infrastructure, public transportation, and community services. These decisions directly affect the community, that’s why it’s important to participate in local elections. Most of the time, national change starts at the local level.
“These offices have an impact on your everyday life. How money is spent in schools? What are those school rules?” Flores said. “Tax rates for homes and properties, local laws, local police, or county sheriff’s office, availability of health care, animal control, roads, availability of water and power.”
Depending on your location, there are many local offices up for election. These include but are not limited:
- Hospital boards
- Local school boards
- County board of education
- College board of education
- Local judges
- Local city councils
Local elections are as important as or more important than national elections. Understanding the role local elections play in your life is crucial to understanding the community around you. By participating in not just national elections but local elections, voters empower themselves to take an active role in helping shape their community, leading to a flourishing community.