I have heard that voting at the local level for offices such as mayor, city council, and school board are very low and I was wondering if you believe it is important to exercise your right to vote in a local election? Why or why not?
2007-03-29 16:06:03 · 11 answers · asked by Mr. Knowledgeable VI 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
Local elections actually impact us more than presidential elections; therefore one should excersise one's right to vote in local elections since they directly affect all elements of life on the municipal level from law enforcement to education to housing developments, etc. Although the presidential elections have the highest turnout (which is still low compared to other developed countries), the outcome of those elections does not directly affect our daily lives in the same way that town elections do. Because of this, we actually have more say and opportunity to participate in our town's legislative process (i.e. town meetings) than we have in our national government.
2007-03-29 17:02:48 · answer #1 · answered by casiopia4 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Darn right it's important. Our entire council has had the same members, basicly , for 15 years. It wasn't until about 5 years ago that I found out I was paying 3 times the limit according to my assesment. Had never taken an interest in local politics before. Let me tell you I didn't let that go by with a wimper. Four of us started a Ratepayer organization and, would you believe, they refused to meet with us or answer our question. We had to wait 7 months for the new election to install a new mayor and 2 new councillors. Changes are happening. The old council was taking trips to meetings that could have been accomplished by phone fax or computers.
People , if you don't want to be paying through the nose for frivulous service by our elected officials , you must keep a close eye on them. They think you have a full wallet and purse and believe me, are fully capable of having you hand it over.
Watch who you vote in .
Watch them at work.
Make them realize they are your servant , not you theirs.
2007-03-29 23:34:00 · answer #2 · answered by reinformer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Voting at the local level is important because there is a direct effect in the governance of the voters. The voters are more or less influenced with a great extent unlike the national officials.
2007-03-30 05:10:49 · answer #3 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is important.
Politicans, even at local levels have clout and speak to hundrens if not thousands of people. People can agree or disagree with them but they have the eyes and ears of the local community.
Many times it is the local school board member, city council member or other local offical who uses these position as a stepping stone.They could care less about this position as they rise to higher aspirations.
If they can not get elected on this level for whatever reason they can not mess up our state or federal govenment on higher levels.
Unless your name is Rumsfeld.
2007-03-29 23:44:31 · answer #4 · answered by mrw18661966 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. For real, when was the last time something the feds did directly affected you?
Your local officials have much more influence in your life, whether you know it or not. Given the two, I'd say that local elections are far more important than national elections.
2007-03-29 23:18:33 · answer #5 · answered by neoimperialistxxi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES! YES!... It is important for us to vote every time there is an election. These two form government can affect us in our daily life. Also, you should vote during election of School board. It may not affect you directly, your friends or family member that has children will. So, DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE.
2007-03-30 01:23:49 · answer #6 · answered by Sun Valley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is important to vote in local elections as they affect your life in many ways. As an example our city just passed a smoking ban and now 3 members who voted for it are up for reeelection. They are contested by people who oppose a total ban in bars and veterans clubs. So it is important to vote so your views are known on the issues.
2007-03-31 09:08:38 · answer #7 · answered by mnwomen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it is important to vote for both, however, while presidents may run a country, local officials run everything in your area down to how much it costs to drink water a month. They also determine what will go in your community, like a mall or a Walmart. they determine all of it. A president or other officials cannot do that.
2007-03-29 23:15:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is important that citizens in towns and cities across America vote for local offices because they make decisions that affect your community and if you do not like what happens, you cannot blame what happens if you do not vote.
2007-03-31 11:56:11 · answer #9 · answered by Looking for Success 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is important. Those are the people (in governement) who most directly effect your daily life.
2007-03-31 17:34:43 · answer #10 · answered by Ro-lynn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋