While local elections don’t always make headlines, they occur annually and the officials elected have a significant impact on citizens’ daily lives. From road repairs and education to immigration and policing, local decisions affect people more directly than federal ones. Yet, these elections have much lower voter turnout rates than national elections and are often overlooked by the media. Why is this? According to Lauren, part of the answer is an information deficit. With diminishing local media coverage, citizens struggle to stay informed about candidates and issues that directly affect their neighborhoods. This lack of accessible information leads to voters underestimating the importance of local elections and can result in low levels of civic engagement.
Adding to this challenge is the fact that voters in local elections tend to be older, white, and affluent. These characteristics can lead to “policy capture” – when vested interests prioritize policy decisions over the preferences and needs of the general public. This can lead to outcomes that are not in the best interest of the community as a whole.
Educating citizens about the importance of local elections and promoting opportunities for voting can help increase participation. Create educational materials about the election process and encourage your constituents to vote through email notifications, social media, cable news channels, and local government events and meetings. Providing options like early voting and absentee ballots can also give citizens the flexibility to cast their votes when it works best for their schedules.