Local elections are a crucial part of democracy, but they are often ignored. The decisions made by your local elected officials affect your daily life as much as those of federal politicians. Yet, many people underestimate the importance of local elections because they aren’t televised or published in their newspapers. As a result, fewer people vote in local elections and the voices of those who do vote are less represented than they would be if more Americans participated.
The lack of voter participation is not because voters don’t care about their local governments, but because they are often unaware of the candidates and issues that are on the ballot. Nonprofits can play a powerful role in increasing engagement in local politics by creating and implementing programs that help citizens understand the impact of their votes on their communities.
For example, one program that has had a dramatic effect on local election turnout is a change in the timing of local elections. Most cities set their elections in odd-numbered off-cycle years, so that they can take place without the distraction of national and state contests. This change has increased voter awareness and significantly boosted participation in local races, demonstrating that a simple, low-cost reform can have a significant impact on local elections. A further step that could make a big difference in expanding voter awareness of local elections is changing how local government information is distributed and displayed online. Currently, most online local government websites are skewed in the candidate’s favor, making it difficult for voters to find comprehensive information about their candidates. But a quick search of online resources reveals that there are several websites that can provide unbiased, comprehensive information about candidates, their backgrounds and beliefs, and their positions on policies.
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