Your Community Needs You. Vote!
County, city, and town officials make decisions about many things that affect us: for example, where housing gets placed and open spaces get reduced, whether there are programs to add more tree cover, especially in less well-off communities, how local water systems are managed, whether or not there is a robust recycling program, and investment/direction in transportation improvement (e.g., more bike access). Local school boards decide what science textbooks are used, ensure implementation of nutrition programs, and determine how to respond to health emergencies.
Sadly, too few people vote in local elections
From Everyday Civics, we learn that :
- Municipal elections average 27% turnout in mayoral races, dropping to 15% for city council races
- School board elections typically see 5-10% participation
- Special elections often draw less than 20% of registered voters
- Primary elections for local offices sometimes see single-digit turnout
One more thing about voting in local elections. Many of the candidates are new to politics. Perhaps they have only been funded locally, independently. We are much more likely to discover fresh voices from people who really do want to make a difference in local elections. You could say we are helping groom tomorrow’s leaders. Let’s show up for them, and let’s hold all candidates responsible for things that happen in our communities.
Third Act Tennessee’s Democracy Campaign committee is mobilizing to Get Out the Vote in Tennessee. Look in the July Newsletter for information on how you can join the effort.
Be Vocal! Vote Local!
—Marilyn Finley, Third Act Tennessee