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Young black woman sits between two friends at beach, staring into sunset
Photography by Joshua Kissi

Why Voting Matters

If you are an American citizen, voting at a local level is an important right that gives you the ability to influence the regulations and issues that impact you on a daily basis. Your everyday experience is shaped more by your local officials than the American president. Local officials are in charge of determining local budgets, running public schools, organizing police and fire services, establishing zoning regulations, licensing professions, overseeing emergency medical and housing services, etc.

Unfortunately, local turnout for elections remains incredibly low.

Only 27% of people vote in their local elections
In 2018, only 27% of eligible voters participated in their municipal election. Compare that to 53% for 2018 midterm elections or 60.1% for the 2016 presidential election.

When we don’t engage in voting we are giving up our voice and right to influence the laws that dictate our way of life.

Playing the long game

Informed voting gives us a way to choose our local leaders, hold them accountable, and remove certain elected officials if they chose not to perform their responsibilities or become corrupt. It’s an important proactive tool for addressing police violence.

“We can’t end police brutality if we don't change the laws. We can't change the laws without electing the right people into office. Without the right people in office we continue to be reactive instead of proactive. Focus on all elections, not just the one going to White House."
Civil Rights Attorney for Breonna Taylor , Lonita Baker
Source: Breathing Room

Protests, petitions, op-eds, public comments, and town halls only go so far without effective long-term policies that protect our communities. To secure long-term wins, we need to vote for people that care about eliminating brutality and corruption in law enforcement. That means we need to vote for district attorneys, governors, senators, representatives, etc. in addition to the American president.

If you are still questioning the value of local voting think about the impact of the Georgia senate runoffs. The outcome of this local election determined which political party would control the senate (and in some ways the country) during Biden’s term.

What’s the time commitment?

The time commitment can range vastly. Voting requires learning about candidates, heading to a polling center (or requesting a mail-in ballot), and waiting in line at the polls. Unfortunately illegal actions like voter suppression can take this from a quick time commitment to a time intensive activity. In other ways, voting isn't a huge time investment because it happens in two and four year cycles.

If voting is a tool you are already familiar with, use your knowledge to bring others into the fold. Ensure people in your community (friends, family, neighbors, etc.) are also registered to vote when election season cycles through.


How to get started

1. Register to vote
Start your voter registration, find out where and how to vote, and what's on the ballot to successfully participate in local, state, or federal elections.
2. Sign up for election reminders
Set a calendar alert to ensure your voice is always heard.
3. Get to know your local candidates and the key issues
Learn who your candidates are, where they stand on issues, find your polling place, and discover candidates debates in your community.
4. Understand the electoral system
Learn how our complicated Electoral College works.
5. Consider running for local office
Don’t see a candidate that values the safety and protection of the Black community in your city? *You* can represent the change your community needs.