Dear Friends and Neighbors,
When people talk about elections, the conversation almost always turns to the big ones: the presidential race, Congress, maybe the governor’s office. And yes, those elections matter a great deal. But here’s something we don’t talk about nearly enough: the decisions made at the local level—by your city council, your mayor, your school board, and your county commission—often have a far greater and more immediate impact on your daily life than anything happening in Washington, D.C.
Think about it:
- Who decides how often your trash gets picked up?\
- Who sets the budget for your police and fire departments?
- Who approves funding for your child’s school?
- Who determines whether your neighborhood gets sidewalks, public transit, or affordable housing?
Local government does.
These aren’t far-off decisions made by people you’ll never meet. These are your decisions—made by people who live in your town, shop at the same grocery stores, drive on the same streets, and send their kids to the same schools. They’re people you can call, email, or speak to at a town hall meeting. But in order to hold them accountable—or to elect people who better reflect your values—you have to show up. And that means voting in every local election, not just the ones that make the national news.
The Stakes Are Real—and Personal
No matter who is in charge at the statehouse or the White House, your local government controls the policies that hit closest to home:
Education: School boards make decisions about curriculum, class sizes, building upgrades, and school safety.
Public Safety: City councils and county commissions approve law enforcement budgets and policies.
Infrastructure: From potholes and streetlights to water lines and snow removal—local governments manage it all.
In short, if you care about your community, you have to care about your local government.
Low Turnout, High Consequences
Here’s the problem: local elections often have shockingly low voter turnout. In many places, fewer than 1 in 5 registered voters show up. That means a small, often unrepresentative group of people is deciding issues that affect everyone. Imagine what could happen if we all voted in local elections with the same passion and urgency we bring to presidential races. We could build stronger, fairer, more responsive communities—together.
Real Change Starts at Home
It’s easy to feel powerless when national politics seem overwhelming or out of touch. But here’s a truth we don’t hear enough: real change doesn’t just trickle down from the top—it rises up from the ground. From the neighborhoods and towns where we live, work, pray, and raise our families.
When you vote local, you’re doing more than casting a ballot. You’re shaping your own future and the future of your neighbors. You’re investing in the kind of community you want to live in.
Make a Plan. Make a Difference.
Know your polling location or request a mail-in ballot.
Talk to friends and family about what’s at stake.
We don’t have to wait for someone else to fix things. We can do it ourselves—one vote, one voice, one local election at a time. Because no matter who’s in charge at the top, the decisions made in your city hall are the ones that shape your everyday life. Let’s not sit this one out. Let’s show up, speak out, and vote local!
Check your voter registration status by clicking the link!
Samuel Allen
For Hays, For You,