The people elected at the local level make decisions that have a profound impact on our daily lives. Decisions about education, public safety, infrastructure like roads and transit systems, and zoning regulations are all made by locally elected officials. But the fact that local elections are often held at off-cycle times and receive far less media attention than national races results in low voter turnout.
To address this, civic education campaigns can be used to promote local election dates and encourage citizens to vote. This information can be distributed through websites, newsletters, email notifications, cable channels, and social media. Civic engagement initiatives at libraries, recreation programs, and city government meetings can also serve as a great way to connect with local voters.
In addition, candidates can engage with constituents by attending community events and forums where they can share their views and respond to questions. This helps build a unique rapport and shows that the candidate truly cares about the community’s concerns.
Finally, it is important that local elections are conducted in a manner that is consistent with state and federal laws. This will help ensure that there are no barriers to participation that could impact marginalized communities. This is an essential step towards achieving greater inclusion and equity in democracy.