Local Government

          Local government such as Mayor and City Council has the soonest and most direct impact to you as a citizen yet the voting rate for these elections are on the bottom, around 30 percent. After all, why care about the smallest form of government in our society?  The decisions they make impact residents, workers, and visitors on a daily basis.  If you want something to change in your government, the local government is the quickest and easiest way to make a change.  How many people can schedule a meeting with the President?  Less than .001 percent of people can schedule a meeting with the president.  Most citizens are able to see their mayors about issues that are relevant to the city.  They control the future with regards to the educational system.
          Why is the voting rate for local elections at the bottom of the list?  There are a multitude of reasons for this.  First, the amount of money spent on campaigning is considerably less than for offices in the senate or for president.  It is very hard for candidates to communicate their message to the masses.  Second, many people don’t vote because of they don’t feel like their vote will make a difference.  This is a prime example of a psychological phenomenon called social loafing.  Social loafing states that a person is less motivated and puts forth less effort if they are in a group.  Another reason voters don’t come to the polls is because they are content with what is happening and don’t feel the need for change.  They think that not voting will keep that sameness.  Others don’t know when or are not informed on when local voting takes place.  The final reason for people not voting in local government elections is simple; they feel that local government is irrelevant to them.  They would rather spend their time elsewhere then vote in a local government election.
          What decisions does the local government make to society?  Everything that the tax payers take for granted. Water, streets, stop lights, traffic, police, fire fighters, post offices, judicial systems, and decisions that impact any of these things.  The fact that the tax payers of the city take these for granted means the city is doing their job correctly.  Whether to shut down a street for construction work or not; Whether or not to buy out flooded buildings or just pay for the re-building.  Other decisions include selling public parks, parking meters, speed cameras, traffic lights, filling potholes, tax increases, and anything else that has to do with the city.  They play a huge role in the citizen’s lives.
          The local government plays a huge role in building the future through the public schools.  They decide funding for the local schools.  Too little and you cut the quality of the education and have teachers marching on strike.  Too much and you have tax payers in your ear about wasteful spending.  The local government has to please all the people of their city with a balance to how much money everyone gets.  Local governments also interact with schools on re-opening and closing of schools within the city.  The government is invested deeply in the school district and plays a huge role on the type of education the children receive.
           In no other government can you schedule an appointment to talk about issues that matter to you and the area that government is controlling.  You are able to express your views and can try to make a difference in what your city does to move forward.  Local government impacts you as a city tax payer every day.  We rely so heavily on the local government because it is the closest government to the people.  We need the right people in our local offices.  In order to do that, we need people to vote in their local city elections.  Your vote does make a difference so get out there and vote!

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