“A vote is not a Valentine, it’s a chess move. You don’t have to fall in love—you just have to show up.” This phrase, made popular by civil rights activist and writer Rebecca Solnit, is a powerful reminder that voting is not about perfection or romance. It’s about participation. Nowhere is that participation more urgently needed—and more impactful—than in local elections.
While presidential races often dominate the headlines and attract record-breaking turnout, local elections typically suffer from low participation. Yet, the decisions made at the local level often have a more direct and immediate impact on our daily lives than those made in Washington.
Why Local Elections Matter: Local officials shape the policies and services that touch almost every aspect of our communities. School boards, city councils, mayors, sheriffs, county commissioners, and judges—all play critical roles in:
- Education policy: from curriculum choices to school funding and safety.
- Policing and criminal justice: setting budgets, oversight, and accountability for law enforcement.
- Public transportation and infrastructure, including roads, transit systems, and maintenance.
- Housing and zoning laws: affecting rent prices, development, and homelessness.
- Health and social services, such as local clinics, food assistance, and mental health programs.
- Environmental regulations: decisions on water quality, waste management, and climate resilience.
Every pothole filled, every library funded, every policy that affects your neighborhood begins with choices made by elected officials in your city, county, or school district.
Low Turnout, High Stakes: Ironically, while local elections have the most tangible effect on our communities, they often suffer from alarmingly low voter turnout. It’s not uncommon for mayors, school board members, or district attorneys to be elected by just 10–20% of eligible voters. That means a small, organized group can sway an entire election—especially when others stay home. When fewer people vote, representation becomes skewed. Local elections become more susceptible to special interest influence or extremist candidates who don’t reflect the broader community’s values. In contrast, higher turnout leads to more balanced, inclusive, and accountable governance.
Every Vote Truly Counts: Unlike national races where millions of votes are cast, local elections can be decided by just a handful. There are countless examples of city council races or school board seats being decided by fewer than 100 votes—or even a single vote. That’s not a metaphor. It’s a fact.
So when people say “my vote doesn’t matter,” local elections prove otherwise. Your vote can determine who decides whether your kids’ school gets funded, whether your neighborhood park stays open, or whether a new affordable housing development gets built.
Local Politics = Grassroots Power: Local elections also build the foundation for broader social change. Many national leaders started their careers in city halls and school boards. By engaging in local politics, citizens don’t just influence immediate policies—they help shape the next generation of leadership.
Moreover, local civic engagement builds community power. Organizing, voting, and holding local leaders accountable cultivates a culture of participation. It fosters connections between neighbors, builds coalitions, and creates momentum that can scale to state and national movements.
Voting Is a Responsibility, Not a Romance: You don’t have to adore a candidate to cast your ballot. You don’t have to agree with every policy or like every personality. Voting is about choosing the best available option to represent your interests and your community’s needs.
We don’t wait for perfect weather to wear a coat. We don’t wait for perfect love to build a relationship. And we shouldn’t wait for perfect candidates to vote. Voting is an act of power, not passion.
Show Up: Local elections may not come with the fanfare of national ones, but they are every bit as important—if not more. They shape the schools our children attend, the streets we drive on, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the future of our communities.
So remember: a vote is not a Valentine—it’s a tool. Use it. Don’t wait for perfection. Don’t sit it out. Show up, speak up, and vote—especially when it’s local.
Click here to see who is running in your area & if you do not know your voting location, click here.
This right here is the realest reminder we all need. Local elections are where the heartbeat of the community lives. It’s where decisions get made about your child’s classroom, your rent, your block’s lighting, your grandmother’s clinic, and your cousin’s court case.
We keep waiting for “the perfect” candidate, but the truth is your absence is somebody else’s power. Voting locally is how we protect our communities from policies that don’t reflect us or serve us. We can’t afford to be on the sidelines while a handful of votes decide the future of our neighborhoods.
This isn’t about falling in love, it’s about showing up with intention. Because power unused is power handed over.
So whether it’s for school board, city council, or mayor, show up like your future lives here… because it does.