Voter Education: 6 Keys to Understanding the Nuances of Voting

Voting is a cornerstone of a civically engaged life, offering every person a voice in the collective direction of their community and nation. In an era where information – and misinformation – is at our fingertips, it’s both a privilege and a responsibility to be informed, especially when it comes to our democratic processes.

Casting an informed

vote

isn’t just about choosing a preferred candidate; it’s about understanding how that choice will affect our daily lives for the years to come. Voter education is the avenue that leads to such an informed decision. It is the responsibility of both the individual and the larger societal systems to ensure voters understand the candidates and ballot. Here are some tips on how to become more informed and some resources to help you do so.

The Power of Local Elections

While presidential elections often command a lot of attention, it’s local elections that have the most immediate and tangible impact on our daily lives. In most major cities, fewer than

15% of voters

turn out to vote in their mayoral election. And because there are fewer voters in

local elections

, your vote carries tremendous power.

Elected officials at the local level, from school board members to mayors and city council members, shape policies on everything from public transportation to local taxes to educational reforms and more.

Given the smaller voter pool in local elections, each ballot cast carries more significant weight, making it an invaluable opportunity for individuals to influence their immediate surroundings and advocate for the issues that matter most to them.

Where to Find Resources

To be an informed voter, a little homework is in order. Start by finding out if your state offers an app for voting. Apps can offer access to the upcoming ballot, tell you where to vote, help you update your registration, vote by absentee ballot and more.

To learn more about who and what is on the ballot, check local newspapers and community websites, which frequently offer insightful profiles of candidates and provide breakdowns of local issues. Nonpartisan websites such as

Vote411

offer a comprehensive look at your ballot, from the top offices to the local issues, and provide insights on measures and candidate stances. This resource was launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and tailors election information to your specific location, ensuring you have all the details you need to cast your vote confidently. Similarly,

Ballotpedia

serves as an objective online encyclopedia of neutral, detailed information about elections at all levels.

Interpreting the Ballot

Ballots can sometimes present a challenge to voters, especially when measures are described in dense legal language. To truly grasp the meaning and implications of these measures, voters should turn to nonpartisan resources like the websites listed above or attend local community forums that offer clear and concise explanations.

When researching candidates, it’s beneficial to peruse candidates’ official websites and social media pages. These platforms often provide a candid view of the candidate’s priorities and standpoints on various issues. But what if a candidate doesn’t necessarily have a robust website that answers your questions?

Engage with Local Officials

The beauty of local governance lies in its accessibility. Local officials, unlike their national counterparts, tend to be more reachable and responsive to their constituents. If there’s ever uncertainty about a candidate’s stance on an issue, or if there’s a desire to voice a concern, you shouldn’t hesitate to

send an email

or make a phone call.

This kind of direct engagement not only provides valuable insights but also informs officials about the issues that matter to their community. Additionally, attending town hall meetings or public forums hosted in local community centers, schools or libraries offers a direct channel to engage with and learn from candidates.

Make Sure You’re Registered to Vote

It may sound like an unnecessary step if you’ve

registered to vote

in the past, but it’s not uncommon for voter registrations to be purged. At least

17 million voters

were purged nationwide between 2016 and 2018.

Purging voter rolls is a necessary and important process. Registered voters can be purged for a number of reasons, including death, moving and committing a felony among others. The reason can

vary by state

, but once your record is purged, you become ineligible to cast your ballot. Before the next election,

check

to see if your registration is active.

Now It’s Time to Vote

A thriving democracy relies on the active and informed participation of its citizens. By dedicating time to understanding the local landscape—both the candidates and the issues—you become an integral part of shaping your community’s future direction.

In the realm of local elections, your vote isn’t just a voice; it’s a call to action. As election day approaches, be prepared to wield that power, knowing fully the impact and influence of your choice.

Local Action Leads to Local Impact: It’s Time to Get Out and Vote

With less than 50 days until midterm elections in the United States, there’s rightfully much talk, news and action focused on the senate, house of representatives and governors’ elections.

And while these elections are critical, they are not the only ones that make a difference in our daily lives. Voting in local elections is equally, if not more, important.

Local elections affect our lives in countless ways we might not realize, and it all comes down to our vote.

In Chicago in the 1990s, due to legislation and ambitious school reform efforts, the Mayor of Chicago gained full control of the school district. At the time shifting power from a local elected school board to mayoral or gubernatorial appointees was a novel idea. The impact of one person to appoint a school board whose governing body oversaw a $6 billion budget, education of more than 300,000 students, and the support of 40,000 employees could not be overstated. And that decision came down to who you voted for in the mayoral election.

Whether it’s the school board, investment in infrastructure for clean water, mental health services for our young and old, or creating more green space and parks, local politics impact every neighborhood and every family everywhere.

I often say that systems are reinforced or dismantled one decision at a time. I’ll double down on that and add that government systems are upheld or dismantled one vote at a time, especially those impacted by local elections.

Did you know that a vast majority of city or county coroners are elected? And medical examiners are appointed, usually by another local official. These individuals hold the authority to mark cause of death on a death certificate. Their determinations lead to or prevent individuals seeking greater due process in questionable deaths, and may impact social justice. The system that perpetuates or changes the status quo is decided by your vote.

Have you ever voted on a local or state ballot or referendum? Those questions can sometimes be unclear and confusing – whether intentionally or unintentionally. And the individuals who write those ballot questions are often elected officials, ranging from attorney general, lieutenant governor or the proponent of the bill.

And, of course, there are the more well-known positions like mayor, governor, secretaries of state, district attorneys, judges, sheriffs and others that influence and control our local and state taxes and laws.

Voting is one of the most important civic actions we can take – not just every two or four years, but as often as we are presented an opportunity, particularly when there is a special referendum or in run-off elections. Voting allows us to use our voices to influence issues that impact our daily lives.

Local action leads to local impact. Don’t cede your power to others. Use your voice in your community. Listen and learn more about candidates who want to represent your community.

Use nonpartisan websites like vote.org to find your state and county board of elections, register to vote, learn where your polling location is and more. Register to be a poll worker and contribute to fair and open elections. We all have something to say. Speak loudly with your vote.