Local elections aren’t always on the national news or in your Instagram feed, but they happen every year and the officials elected have as much impact as – or even more – than federal ones. The decisions that mayors, councillors, and judges make — on everything from zoning laws and school curricula to public infrastructure projects and police policing policies — shape your daily life. Yet because they tend to be held at odd times of the year and receive less media attention, low turnout means that the majority of voters only have a small share of the power to decide what happens in their communities.
That makes it especially important for people to participate in local politics, if they can. Voting in these elections gives you the chance to put representatives in office who understand the barriers marginalized communities face and can help push national policies toward greater inclusion and equity. And because many of the largest policy changes in history started at the city and state levels, local victories can inspire broader movement.
With the right knowledge and tools, it’s easy to be a more active participant in local politics. To help, we’ve compiled a list of resources that will give you a comprehensive look at candidate information – including their backgrounds, beliefs, and positions on issues. While they may be skewed in favor of one side or another, they’ll provide you with the context you need to vote with confidence.