Informed voting allows local government officials to truly reflect the needs and desires of their community and drive real positive change. Yet, despite their massive impact on daily life, local elections have consistently lower voter turnout than national ones, and those that do vote are often not representative of the population as a whole.
This can result in decisions that are not beneficial to the community as a whole, and especially underrepresented communities, such as people of color, low-income individuals, and young people. Voting is a powerful tool for historically marginalized communities to take control of their own futures and create systemic change.
As such, it is essential for every citizen to understand how their local government works, what they can do to influence the direction of their city and county, and how the decisions made by these elected officials will directly affect them and their families.
Local government election reforms such as consolidating elections and moving to concurrent elections have been proven effective in improving local voter turnout, but it is also important for governments to educate their citizens on how the voting process works.
Partnering with civic organizations and nonprofits to host informational sessions, workshops, and town halls is a great way for municipalities to reach a larger audience and build up community support in educating voters on the intricacies of local politics. Additionally, providing clear instructions on requesting absentee ballots and early voting options is a key component of ensuring all citizens are fully informed.
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