6 Reasons Why Your Vote Matters Most in State + Local Elections
Does my vote make a difference? What does a local election decide? While there can be many aspects to being an informed voter, creating lasting change starts with being educated about your local government and elections. In fact, participating in your state and local elections can be even more important than voting once every four years in the Presidential election. Here are six reasons to vote in local elections (and why it matters most).
Why Should You Vote?
Local Politics Directly Affect Your Daily Life
Often, when we think of government, we think of the three branches of the federal government. However, powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states or to the people. The vast majority of government employees are employed by your local and state governments. This means that your state—and more specifically, your local government—is directly responsible for serving your community. Local politics have the most effect on your daily life.
“The vast majority of government employees are employed by your local and state governments. This means that your state—and more specifically, your local government—is directly responsible for serving your community.”
For example, your local & state governments are responsible for the following items:
Parks & recreation
Public works, such as streets, sewers, etc.
Police & Fire departments, & emergency medical systems (EMS)
Library services
Education
Rent costs and affordable housing
Public transit
Alcohol and marijuana ordinances
Taxes
Concerned about your child’s education? Trash at your favorite park? Unsafe intersections or potholes in the road? Safety of your community? All of these are issues addressed by the local government. Your state and local tax dollars help fund these services, so it’s important that you have a say in where your money is being spent.
You Can Have A Vote in the Issues That Are Most Important to You
Regardless of the issue, voting in a state or local election is allowing your voice to be heard over the issues that matter most to you.
Take, for example, climate and environmental issues. Congress has debated environmental-related issues for almost 30 years with very little forward progress. However, states like California, have adopted sweeping policies to incentivize local governments to adopt goals to reduce greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.
Most criminal justice reform happens locally, as well. With recent anti-racism protests and riots calling for widespread policing reform and departmental defunding, your vote in local government is more important than ever. If you live in a large city, the Chief of Police is appointed by the mayor. If you live in a smaller community, you may have a sheriff, who is elected directly by voters. If your mayor or sheriff is up for re-election, knowing your local candidate’s platform is crucial in your ability to make an informed voting decision. Additionally, attending town hall or City Council meetings will help you speak up, ask questions, and educate yourself on the issues that matter most to you.
Federal Policies Start At the Local Level
Every law starts with an idea. Many movements that helped to create federal law—such as women’s suffrage, environmental protection, racial discrimination, minimum wage, and marriage equality—all had their roots in local communities. Very often, bills introduced into Congress can be debated endlessly or shelved completely. However, your state and local government have the ability to make progress when Congress cannot and bring an issue to the forefront.
“Every law starts with an idea. Many movements that helped to create federal law—such as women’s suffrage, environmental protection, racial discrimination, minimum wage, and marriage equality—all had their roots in local communities.”
Another example: the legalization of marijuana. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use. While marijuana still remains illegal at the federal level, as of February 2024, medicinal use is now legal in 47 states and the District of Columbia, while 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of marijuana for non-medical purposes.
Representatives Are Only Representative of the People That Vote
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are filled by elected officials from each state. Members of the House of Representatives are up for election every two years, while Senators can be re-elected every six years. In the House of Representatives, a state’s representation is based on population, while in the Senate, each state is granted two Senators. In total, there are 535 elected members of Congress.
Since Congress is made up of elected officials who were selected by the people, it stands to reason that the same officials will be elected if the same people vote (or don’t vote). If you are dissatisfied with how your Congressional representative is voting, making your voice heard and voting is imperative to make sure that they are not re-elected. Conversely, if your values align with your Representative or Senator, it’s important to vote for their re-election campaign so that they can continue voicing the concerns of their constituency.
While the majority votes the official in, your Congressional representative has the ability to speak (and vote) for all citizens of that state.
Most Local Elections are Decided By A Few Votes
While campaigns like Rock the Vote attempt to buoy support to vote in Presidential elections, only 58.1% of eligible Americans voted in 2016. (In 2020, however, a record 158.4 million votes were cast, equating to 2/3 of eligible voters!)
However, local and state election voting turnout remains dismal.
What causes low turnout in local government elections? For many, this can be traced to two main issues: lack of knowledge or general apathy. Many voters simply lack knowledge on local candidates, voting registration dates, and polling locations. Low local election turnout is also seen more noticeably in local and state elections on off-years when they do not receive a visibility boost from presidential elections (such as 2022). Local voters also report feeling as though their vote does not matter and that they are powerless to make a change. However, with many local elections being decided by very few votes, the local level is where the impact of voting can be most impactful.
“Simply put, not voting is giving up your voice. You have the opportunity to vote. You have the ability to make change. If staying silent is taking the side of the oppressor, choosing not to vote is accepting status quo.”
You Have a Right to Vote
Simply put, not voting is giving up your voice. You have the opportunity to vote. You have the ability to make change. If staying silent is taking the side of the oppressor, choosing not to vote is accepting status quo.
Unsure of where to begin?
Contact your state and local representatives about registration and voter resources.
