S2, E10: Why You Should Care About Local Elections. An Interview with Joseph Audino

I believe that politics determine a person’s health status. Politics determine one’s world view, one's priorities, and funding for various causes. Politics and public health are intertwined.

 

In fact, there is not an area of life that is not impacted by politics. The health of the U.S. public has always been political. Therefore, we should be talking (and teaching students) more about politics.

 

Local elections often have very low voter turnout, which gives your vote significantly more power. Small margins have big consequences. Many local races are decided by just a few dozen or hundred votes. Please vote!

 

Local elections largely determine quality of life. Many critical decisions about your immediate community are made at the local level. For example, in November, you will probably be voting on some of the following issues.

 

Education: School board members supervise, hire, and dismiss the superintendent, establish policies, make decisions on curricula, school funding, and classroom sizes.

 

Public safety: Mayors, county sheriffs, and district attorneys set policing policies and affect the criminal justice system in your community.

 

Infrastructure and services: City council members and county commissioners determine how your tax dollars are spent on roads, parks, libraries, and utilities like water and sanitation.

 

Housing and zoning: Local officials decide on zoning laws, affordable housing availability, and land use for new developments. 

 

Voting locally can also empower historically underrepresented groups and communities and ensure that government is responsive to all residents. 

 

Low turnout among certain populations can result in decisions that do not reflect their needs. Conversely, high participation can drive systemic change. Please vote!

 

Local election officials also oversee polling locations, voting hours, and how election laws are implemented, all of which affect the accessibility of voting.

 

Consistent voter participation ensures that elected officials are accountable to the people who put them in office. 

 

Besides that, local leaders are part of your community, making them more accessible and responsive to residents than national politicians. You are more likely to have opportunities to engage directly with local officials, whether it be through social media, at a community event, or a town hall type meeting.

 

You have the opportunity to give input. Many local boards and commissions are volunteer positions that allow residents to provide input and shape policies on specific issues. 

 

Major policy changes often start at the grass roots or local level before gaining momentum to become state or national initiatives. By participating in local elections, you can help lay the groundwork for wider change on issues you care about.

 

Resources for This Podcast:

 

Facebook Page:  Joseph Audino for Riverside School Board.  https://www.facebook.com/p/Joseph-Audino-for-Riverside-School-Board-61578792220875/

 

Website: Lake County Board of Elections.   https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/boe/

 

Website: Honesty for Ohio Education.

https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/school-board-elections.html

 

Website: Nonprofit Vote.  Local Elections: Small Margins, BIG Consequences  https://www.nonprofitvote.org/local-elections-small-margins-big-consequences/

 

Website: League of Women Voters. Why Local Elections are Critical to Democracy. 

https://www.lwv.org/blog/why-local-elections-are-critical-democracy

 

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Grass Roots Health is sponsored by 1795 Consulting.

 

Grass Roots Health is produced and hosted by Tim Jordan.

 

Artwork is created by Priyanka Banerjee.   

 

Audio editing, mixing, and mastering by Suma Recording, Painesville, Ohio  https://www.sumarecording.com/

 

Website design by Alex Brinkman, Green Tree Media, Perrysburg, Ohio