It's election season, and though I, too, shared a few memes from the Trump vs Harris debate because…well…parts of it felt like a reboot of Veep, I wanted to talk a bit about some of the most impactful political influencers on our daily lives.
These key players, often not vying for head of state, significantly shape our way of life and lurk right there on your ballot, beneath the headlining races. However, their influence is not to be underestimated.
Why Down-Ballot Deserves Your Attention
We all know that the local school board shapes the education policies for our children. The city council influences our local law enforcement policies, and state legislators have a say in everything from healthcare access to voting rights. But down-ballot elections matter in other ways too.
Down-ballot officials can become tomorrow's governors, senators, and presidents. Local policies often serve as blueprints for state and national legislation, and our voices carry more weight in these races, where margins of victory can be razor-thin.
The Idea Of The "Perfect Voter" Is By Design
Unfortunately, a candidate's success in local elections often comes down to name recognition, which means that voters are more likely to choose a candidate they've heard of, rather than one with the best policies.
I understand why. With all of the information we must digest to successfully navigate the day, asking us to wade through more information to make an informed choice in our local elections can feel like asking us to take on the role of political science expert when we already have demanding careers.
That feeling is by design. It comes from the same place that tells us we have to work twice as hard for half as much, or that we have to do things perfectly, or not at all.
Oppression touches every part of our lives, and the pull to learn everything about every candidate and "get down-ballot voting right," even though we don't have the time or resources to do it, can stop us from voting at all, just as it is designed to do.
Just like we don't need to be Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama, and Oprah rolled into one to succeed in our careers, we don't need encyclopedic political knowledge to make informed choices in local elections.
Remember, the only perfect vote is the one that is cast. So here are a few tips to help you feel more empowered in the down-ballot voting process.
How To Approach Down Ballot Voting Without Overwhelm
Tip #1 Leverage Your Expertise (aka Trust Yourself)
You're already an expert in what matters to you and your community. Start there. Whether it's education, healthcare, small business support, or environmental justice, use your lived experience as a foundation for the policies and character traits you'd like to see in a candidate. Then, identify the person who best supports those ideals in your local elections.
Tip #2 Utilize High-Impact Resources
Ballotpedia and Vote411 are non-partisan sites that offer personalized ballot information. Think of them as your political CliffsNotes. The Local League of Women Voters often hosts local candidate forums in your area where you can see the candidates for local offices in person. Additionally, industry associations and local newspapers usually provide analysis of how various candidates might impact your field or neighborhood.
Finally, you can use ChatGPT as a resource. I'm still perfecting my prompt for election information, but I have found this one produces results that are a great starting point:
Can you tell me the names and policy positions of the candidates running for [NAME OF ELECTED OFFICE] in [CITY/COUNTY AND STATE] in [YEAR] and provide sources for your results?
Tip # 3 - Create Collective Intelligence
Discuss local candidates with your neighbors, moms/dads groups, book clubs, and/or friends at the gym. Invite folks over for brunch. Be in community with your community. Usually, someone in your immediate circle closely follows local politics and can provide information and resources to help you feel more informed.
Voting = Fighting Oppression
By engaging in down-ballot races, you're not just voting - you're shaping the pipeline of future leadership. You're influencing policy at its inception and amplifying your voice where it can resonate the loudest. You are also doing your part to fight systemic oppression because the political is personal, no matter what they tell you.
Don't worry about doing it perfectly. Just vote. Remember, the only perfect vote is the one that is cast.
In power and solidarity,
Toya
P.S. I'm curious - what local issue are you most passionate about influencing? And have you discovered any innovative ways to stay informed about down-ballot races? Let's share strategies in the comments and build a supportive community!