I actually didn't fully realize until this year that some people have no idea when elections are if they are not voting for president, which happens every four years. Elections happen every damn year! Twice - a primary and an actual election in November. This is a stab in my heart, as I have said one zillion times in my life that voting for your local judge/state rep/mayor is more important than voting for president. Why?
1. The decisions of local government will directly affect your life. Local government is responsible for the quality of schools, the judiciary, rental costs/affordable housing, recycling options and trash collection, public transportation, policing and public safety, public health measures in schools, environmental ordinances, alcohol and drug ordinances, welfare, amenities, infrastructure, job training programs, taxes, and on and on. Everything about the delivery of essential public services (that we often don't even think about and take for granted) and the quality of life we have as communities is managed by local government. Local government has a lot of money and they decide the community's priorities.
2. Your vote actually does count there. Since voter turnout is so low in local elections, they are decided by a very slim margin in a lot of cases. Every vote counts. Get your ass out there, and bring your friends.
3. Even though it seems like the reverse, state and local governments lead the way. Policies on environmental protection, women's suffrage, minimum wage, and marriage equality all began at the local and state level. They were the impetus for landmark fed policies.
4. These people you're electing work for you. Why the fuck wouldn't you want to have a say in who you're hiring? I know it's en vogue right now for government representatives to act like you are their peasants and they are doing you a great favor to grant you an audience, but it's the other way around. The sooner we take back the power, the better off the entire country is. If you are not in tune with what's going on around you, how will you make sure you have an impact on how your community is run?
5. Not voting does not make politics go away. I know. You're sick of politics. But not voting won't make them go away. It will just make you feel like a peasant under the rule of a moody lord.
Know your voting rights
-If you are asked for identification at a polling place and do not have any acceptable ID, you must be allowed to vote by provisional ballot.
-If your right to vote is challenged at your polling place and it cannot be resolved there, the judge of elections at the polling place should call the county Board of Elections. If it cannot be resolved via phone, you can show up at the county Board of Elections where a judge will be on duty to resolve election problems.
-Regardless of any issue, you must be allowed to vote by provisional ballot at the time and the eligibility of your vote must be pursued - by YOU - after.
Reminder to PA Voters to vote NO on this ballot question:
More about this from Education Voters PA
More about this - and an entire voting guide - from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund
PA friends, please also check out Judge Ellen Ceisler.
I hope you're voting on Tuesday. How life goes in your community DOES depend on it.
Happy weekend!
SO many valid points - definitely have to vote! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteSpot on. The right to vote is precious. Godspeed for the best to be here and everywhere ❣️❣️❣️
ReplyDeleteLove. Your. Momma.
Great PSA, I'm a guilty party in not always voting in the local elections unless they're highly advertised just because I forget and don't make it a priority. Thanks for the reminder!!
ReplyDeleteSo true. And I'm guilty of skipping the "lesser" elections. But not anymore. Politics don't go away.
ReplyDeleteI early voted on the propositions yesterday...at the library, which worked out great because I needed to pick up a book I had on hold. SO EFFICIENT.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes - we have local elections and they are so important and directly affect each of us!
ReplyDeleteMeg, Borrowed Heaven
It amazes me how many people don't realize that every first Tuesday of November is an election day. I'm a firm believer that every vote counts in every election.
ReplyDeleteVoting matters! Good to educate others that may not be aware of all their voting rights.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I have never voted other than presidential elections. Was trying to be better and check this year...and because I live in BFE, apparently, I get to vote for literally 2 offices =O
ReplyDeleteAlready have our plan to head there right after work, with Ella in tow. Gotta teach em young!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right, local elections are so important!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! I work for the local government and I hope people go out and vote for the right person to be my boss! I am going to go vote early now!
ReplyDeleteI'm so annoyed that I missed early voting, but I will be definitely heading to the polls on Tuesday. There's some questionable school shenanigan spending that I need to weigh in on.
ReplyDeleteso annoyed that I neglected to get an absentee ballot for this one... tuesday in person, here I come...
ReplyDeleteI helped bring Chris Christie in (I know, but Corzine was capital-A awful for NJ, and Christie 8 years ago was actually a decent guy) and on Tuesday, I'm sweeping his administration out. This Kim says NO KIM.
ReplyDeleteYes to all this! I've actually gotten in the habit of doing early voting and was all geared up to go vote last week ... when I discovered that this is the one November that my precinct or county has literally nothing to vote for.
ReplyDelete