Go Freaking Vote!
In the last couple of election cycles, there has been a remarkable focus on the importance of voting, with a primary emphasis on the presidential candidates. With Trump being a genuine threat to democracy and Harris’ unpopularity with much of the left, this election may feel disheartening. At least, it has for me. I have found myself not wanting to participate, knowing I would never vote for Trump but still feeling like Harris did not earn my vote. Not feeling drawn to vote for either candidate has left me frustrated and frankly, more radical than I was before. I know many other people feel like this too, and I’m sure the vast majority aren’t involved enough just to vote anyway. Trump and Harris's biggest battle is getting unmotivated voters off the couch on election day.
The general feeling that you can’t influence your representatives is easy to succumb to. With how pressurized this election cycle has been, it is especially common now, and it doesn’t help that there are very legitimate criticisms of both candidates. However, the magnitude in which local and state governments can affect our lives is often overlooked.
Participating in local elections is vital to fighting the alienation we can sometimes feel in our democracy. Local elections affect our school districts, public transit, environmental regulations, infrastructure, city development, parks, issues concerning local businesses, and more. These things can make a tangible difference in your day-to-day life. This could look like free public transportation, a new science lab for your high school, parks and community gardens that are nurtured, and a higher local minimum wage.
Furthermore, it is estimated only about 27% of eligible voters vote in local elections too, so this means margins really matter. Your voice literally carries more weight locally. Showing up to vote and, in turn, seeing these changes in your community will show you that you can impact your government and influence your representatives. Participation in local government and maintaining high political efficacy are critical in seeing the changes you want to see in your country and local community.
Although the message of this post was supposed to highlight the importance of participating in local government, I find myself, the night before election day, thinking about the inevitable race tomorrow. So, I must say one more thing:
It may come off as entitled to suggest that our presidential candidates should listen to our specific opinions; however, I disregard this notion. We must remember that that is literally their job. Their role in our democracy is to be our representatives, and as a part of that position, we get to hold them accountable for representing us accurately. This is part of why Aya and I are so critical of politicians on this blog, on our personal social media accounts, and in our lives. We must remember that no politician is entitled to our votes, and they must prove to us why they are worthy of receiving the power that a vote holds. If our representatives don’t represent us, it's our job to apply pressure and demand change. This is even more true if it’s someone you voted for. To vote someone into power and let them work against your interests is to sacrifice your dignity. Anyway, if you haven't already, go vote tomorrow and think critically about who you vote for. And more importantly, demand that you are heard.
