While the excitement around Kamala Harris and the possibility of electing the first woman president is inspiring, we must not overlook the significance of local elections. Historically, voter turnout for local races tends to be much lower than for presidential elections, yet these elections have a more immediate impact on our daily lives.
Local elections in Oakland are officially nonpartisan, but that doesn’t mean politics don’t play a role. Unfortunately, some leaders have used politics to make life harder than it should be, prioritizing personal agendas over the needs of the community. This is why we need to engage in local covic process to ensure that decisions are made with the community’s best interests in mind, not political gain.
Decisions made by your city council, school board, and other local officials directly influence crucial issues like housing, public safety, and education. For instance, the Oakland City Council is instrumental in shaping policies on affordable housing and policing, issues that affect all of us. Yet, in past local elections, less than 30% of registered voters have participated, despite these elections having a profound impact on our daily lives.
By playing a role in local civic process, we can hold our leaders accountable and ensure that our voices are heard on the issues that matter most. While national politics might grab the headlines, let’s not lose sight of the fact that real change begins at the local level, where your vote can make a significant difference in shaping Oakland’s future.